Nucleic acid molecules encoding the cytoplasmic domain of human Ob receptor

ABSTRACT

The presention invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a receptor protein that participates in mammalian body weight regulation. The invention encompasses obR nucleotides, host cell expression systems, ObR proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the receptor, transgenic animals that express an obR transgene, or recombinant knock-out animals that do not express the ObR, antagonists and agonists of the receptor, and other compounds that modulate obR gene expression or ObR activity that can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, and/or the treatment of body weight disorders, including but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/569,485, filed Dec. 8, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/566,622, filed Dec. 4, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/562,663, filed Nov. 27, 1995, now abandoned, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

1. INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a receptor protein that participates in mammalian body weight regulation. The invention encompasses obR nucleotides, host cell expression systems, ObR proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the receptor, transgenic animals that express an obR transgene, or recombinant knock-out animals that do not express the ObR, antagonists and agonists of the receptor, and other compounds that modulate obR gene expression or ObR activity that can be used for diagnosis, drug screening, clinical trial monitoring, and/or the treatment of body weight disorders, including but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Obesity represents the most prevalent of body weight disorders, and it is the most important nutritional disorder in the western world, with estimates of its prevalence ranging from 30% to 50% within the middle-aged population. Other body weight disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa which together affect approximately 0.2% of the female population of the western world, also pose serious health threats. Further, such disorders as anorexia and cachexia (wasting) are also prominent features of other diseases such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and AIDS.

Obesity, defined as an excess of body fat relative to lean body mass, also contributes to other diseases. For example, this disorder is responsible for increased incidences of diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and diabetes. (See, e.g., Nishina, P. M. et al., 1994, Metab. 43:554-558.) Obesity is not merely a behavioral problem, i.e., the result of voluntary hyperphagia. Rather, the differential body composition observed between obese and normal subjects results from differences in both metabolism and neurologic/metabolic interactions. These differences seem to be, to some extent, due to differences in gene expression, and/or level of gene products or activity (Friedman, J. M. et al., 1991, Mammalian Gene 1:130-144).

The epidemiology of obesity strongly shows that the disorder exhibits inherited characteristics (Stunkard, 1990, N. Eng. J. Med. 322:1483). Moll et al. have reported that, in many populations, obesity seems to be controlled by a few genetic loci (Moll et al. 1991, Am. J. Hum. Gen. 49:1243). In addition, human twin studies strongly suggest a substantial genetic basis in the control of body weight, with estimates of heritability of 80-90% (Simopoulos, A.P. & Childs B., eds., 1989, in “Genetic Variation and Nutrition in Obesity”, World Review of Nutrition and Diabetes 63, S. Karger, Basel, Switzerland; Borjeson, M., 1976, Acta. Paediatr. Scand. 65:279-287).

Studies of non-obese persons who deliberately attempted to gain weight by systematically over-eating were found to be more resistant to such weight gain and able to maintain an elevated weight only by very high caloric intake. In contrast, spontaneously obese individuals are able to maintain their status with normal or only moderately elevated caloric intake. In addition, it is a commonplace experience in animal husbandry that different strains of swine, cattle, etc., have different predispositions to obesity. Studies of the genetics of human obesity and of models of animal obesity demonstrate that obesity results from complex defective regulation of both food intake, food induced energy expenditure and of the balance between lipid and lean body anabolism.

There are a number of genetic diseases in man and other species which feature obesity among their more prominent symptoms, along with, frequently, dysmorphic features and mental retardation. For example, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) affects approximately 1 in 20,000 live births, and involves poor neonatal muscle tone, facial and genital deformities, and generally obesity.

In addition to PWS, many other pleiotropic syndromes which include obesity as a symptom have been characterized. These syndromes are more genetically straightforward, and appear to involve autosomal recessive alleles. The diseases, which include, among others, Ahlstroem, Carpenter, Bardet-Biedl, Cohen, and Morgagni-Stewart-Monel Syndromes.

A number of models exist for the study of obesity (see, e.g., Bray, G. A., 1992, Prog. Brain Res. 93:333-341, and Bray, G. A., 1989, Amer. J. Clin. Nutr. 5:891-902). For example, animals having mutations which lead to syndromes that include obesity symptoms have been identified, and attempts have been made to utilize such animals as models for the study of obesity. The best studied animal models, to date, for genetic obesity are mice. For reviews, see e.g., Friedman, J. M. et al., 1991, Mamm. Gen. 1:130-144; Friedman, J. M. and Liebel, R. L., 1992, Cell 69:217-220.)

Studies utilizing mice have confirmed that obesity is a very complex trait with a high degree of heritability. Mutations at a number of loci have been identified which lead to obese phenotypes. These include the autosomal recessive mutations obese (ob), diabetes (db), fat (fat) and tubby (tub). In addition, the autosomal dominant mutations Yellow at the agouti locus and Adipose (Ad) have been shown to contribute to an obese phenotype.

The ob and db mutations are on chromosomes 6 and 4, respectively, but lead to a complex, clinically similar phenotype of obesity, evident starting at about one month of age, which includes hyperphagia, severe abnormalities in glucose and insulin metabolism, very poor thermoregulation and non-shivering thermogenesis, and extreme torpor and underdevelopment of the lean body mass. This complex phenotype has made it difficult to identify the primary defect attributable to the mutations (Bray G. A., et al., 1989 Amer. J. Clin. Nutr. 5:891-902).

Using molecular and classical genetic markers, the db gene has been mapped to midchromosome 4 (Friedman et al., 1991, Mamm. Gen. 1:130-144). The mutation maps to a region of the mouse genome that is syntonic with human, suggesting that, if there is a human homolog of db, it is likely to map to human chromosome 1p.

The ob gene and its human homologue have recently been cloned (Zhang, Y. et al., 1994, Nature 372:425-432). The gene appears to produce a 4.5 kb adipose tissue messenger RNA which contains a 167 amino acid open reading frame. The predicted amino acid sequence of the ob gene product indicates that it is a secreted protein and may, therefore, play a role as part of a signalling pathway from adipose tissue which may serve to regulate some aspect of body fat deposition. Further, recent studies have shown that recombinant Ob protein, also known as leptin, when exogenously administered, can at least partially correct the obesity-related phenotype exhibited by ob mice (Pelleymounter, M. A. et al., 1995, Science 269:540-543; Halalas, J. L. et al., 1995, Science 269:543-546; Campfield, L. A. et al., 1995, Science 269:546-549). However, the receptor for the ob gene product thought to be expressed in the hypothalamus, remains elusive.

Homozygous mutations at either the fat or tub loci cause obesity which develops more slowly than that observed in ob and db mice (Coleman, D. L., and Eicher, E. M., 1990, J. Heredity 81:424-427), with tub obesity developing slower than that observed in fat animals. This feature of the tub obese phenotype makes the development of tub obese phenotype closest in resemblance to the manner in which obesity develops in humans. Even so, however, the obese phenotype within such animals can be characterized as massive in that animals eventually attain body weights which are nearly two times the average weight seen in normal mice.

The fat mutation has been mapped to mouse chromosome 8, while the tub mutation has been mapped to mouse chromosome 7. According to Naggert et al., the fat mutation has recently been identified (Naggert, J. K., et al., 1995, Nature Genetics 10:135-141). Specifically, the fat mutation appears to be a mutation within the Cpe locus, which encodes the carboxypeptidase (Cpe) E protein. Cpe is an exopeptidase involved in the processing of prohormones, including proinsulin.

The dominant Yellow mutation at the agouti locus, causes a pleiotropic syndrome which causes moderate adult onset obesity, a yellow coat color, and a high incidence of tumor formation (Herberg, L. and Coleman, D. L., 1977, Metabolism 26:59), and an abnormal anatomic distribution of body fat (Coleman, D. L., 1978, Diabetologia 14:141-148). This mutation may represent the only known example of a pleiotropic mutation that causes an increase, rather than a decrease, in body size. The mutation causes the widespread expression of a protein which is normally seen only in neonatal skin (Michaud, E. J. et al., 1994, Genes Devel. 8:1463-1472).

Other animal models include fa/fa (fatty) rats, which bear many similarities to the ob/ob and db/db mice, discussed above. One difference is that, while fa/fa rats are very sensitive to cold, their capacity for non-shivering thermogenesis is normal. Torpor seems to play a larger part in the maintenance of obesity in fa/fa rats than in the mice mutants. In addition, inbred mouse strains such as NZO mice and Japanese KK mice are moderately obese. Certain hybrid mice, such as the Wellesley mouse, become spontaneously fat. Further, several desert rodents, such as the spiny mouse, do not become obese in their natural habitats, but do become so when fed on standard laboratory feed.

Animals which have been used as models for obesity have also been developed via physical or pharmacological methods. For example, bilateral lesions in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and ventrolateral hypothalamus (VLH) in the rat are associated, respectively, with hyperphagia and gross obesity and with aphagia, cachexia and anorexia. Further, it has been demonstrated that feeding monosodium-glutamate (MSG) or gold thioglucose to newborn mice also results in an obesity syndrome.

Each of the rodent obesity models is accompanied by alterations in carbohydrate metabolism resembling those in Type II diabetes in man. For example, from both ob and db, congenic C57BL/KS mice develop a severe diabetes with ultimate β cell necrosis and islet atrophy, resulting in a relative insulinopenia, while congenic C57BL/6J ob and db mice develop a transient insulin-resistant diabetes that is eventually compensated by β cell hypertrophy resembling human Type II diabetes.

With respect to ob and db mice, the phenotype of these mice resembles human obesity in ways other than the development of diabetes, in that the mutant mice eat more and expend less energy than do lean controls (as do obese humans). This phenotype is also quite similar to that seen in animals with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus, which suggests that both mutations may interfere with the ability to properly integrate or respond to nutritional information within the central nervous system. Support for this hypothesis comes from the results of parabiosis experiments (Coleman, D. L. 1973, Diabetologica 9:294-298) that suggest ob mice are deficient in a circulating satiety factor and that db mice are resistant to the effects of the ob factor. These experiments have led to the conclusion that obesity in these mutant mice may result from different defects in an afferent loop and/or integrative center of the postulated feedback mechanism that controls body composition.

In summary, therefore, obesity, which poses a major, worldwide health problem, represents a complex, highly heritable trait. Given the severity, prevalence and potential heterogeneity of such disorders, there exists a great need for the identification of those genes that participate in the control of body weight.

It is an objective of the invention to provide modulators of body weight, to provide methods for diagnosis of body weight disorders, to provide therapy for such disorders and to provide an assay system for the screening of substances which can be used to control body weight.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of nucleotides that encode Ob receptor (ObR), a novel receptor protein that participates in the control of mammalian body weight. ObR, described for the first time herein, is a transmembrane protein that spans the cellular membrane once and is involved in signal transduction triggered by the binding of its natural ligand, Ob, also known as leptin. The ObR has amino acid sequence motifs found in the Class I cytokine receptor family.

In particular, the invention encompasses the following nucleotides, host cells expressing such nucleotides, and the expression products of such nucleotides: (a) nucleotides that encode mammalian ObRs, including the human ObR, and the obR gene product; (b) nucleotides that encode portions of the ObR that correspond to its functional domains, and the polypeptide products specified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not limited to the extracellular domain (ECD), the transmembrane domain (TM), and the cytoplasmic domain (CD); (c) nucleotides that encode mutants of the ObR in which all or a part of one of the domains is deleted and the polypeptide products specified by such nucleotide sequences, including but not limited to soluble receptors in which all or a portion of the TM is deleted, nonfunctional receptors in which all or a portion of the CD is deleted; (d) nucleotides that encode fusion proteins containing the ObR or one of its domains fused to another polypeptide.

The invention also encompasses agonists and antagonists of the ObR, including small molecules, large molecules and antibodies, as well as nucleotide sequences that can be used to inhibit obR gene expression (e.g., antisense and ribozyme molecules, and gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs) or to enhance obR gene expression (e.g., expression constructs that place the obR gene under the control of a strong promoter system), and transgenic animals that express an obR transgene or “knock-outs” that do not express the ObR.

In addition, the present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the diagnostic evaluation, typing and prognosis of body weight disorders, including obesity and cachexia, and for the identification of subjects having a predisposition to such conditions. For example, obR nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be used as diagnostic hybridization probes or as primers for diagnostic PCR analysis for the identification of obR gene mutations, allelic variations and regulatory defects in the obR gene. The present invention further provides for diagnostic kits for the practice of such methods.

Further, the present invention also relates to methods for the use of the obR gene and/or obR gene products for the identification of compounds which modulate, i.e., act as agonists or antagonists, of obR gene expression and or obR gene product activity. Such compounds can be used as agents to control body weight and, in particular, as therapeutic agents for the treatment of body weight and body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia and anorexia.

Still further, the invention encompasses methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia, and anorexia. Such methods and compositions are capable of modulating the level of obR gene expression and/or the level of obR gene product activity.

This invention is based, in part, on the surprising discovery, after an extensive survey of numerous cell lines and tissues, of a high affinity receptor for Ob in the choroid plexus of the brain, the identification and cloning of obR cDNA from a library prepared from choroid plexus mRNA, characterization of its novel sequence, mapping the obR gene to the same region to which the db gene maps, and characterization of the ObR as a transmembrane receptor of the Class I cytokine receptor family.

3.1. DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms, whether used in the ingular or plural, will have the meanings indicated:

Ob: means the Ob protein (Zhang, Y. et al., 1994, Nature 372:425-432, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) which is also known as leptin. Ob fusion proteins having an N-terminal alkaline phosphatase domain are referred to herein as AP-Ob fusion proteins, while Ob fusion proteins having a C-terminal alkaline phosphatase domain are referred to herein as Ob-AP fusion proteins.

obR nucleotides or coding sequences: means nucleotide sequences encoding the ObR protein, polypeptide or peptide fragments of the ObR protein, or ObR fusion proteins. obR nucleotide sequences encompass DNA, including genomic DNA (e.g. the obR gene) or cDNA, or RNA.

ObR: means the Ob receptor protein. Polypeptides or peptide fragments of the ObR protein are referred to as ObR polypeptides or ObR peptides. Fusions of the ObR, or ObR polypeptides or peptide fragments to an unrelated protein are referred to herein as ObR fusion proteins. A functional ObR refers to a protein which binds Ob with high affinity in vivo or in vitro.

ECD: means “extracellular domain”.

TM: means “transmembrane domain”.

CD: means “ytoplasmic domain”.

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A-1D. Nucleotide sequence (SEQ. ID. No:1) and deduced amino acids sequence (SEQ. ID. No:2) of murine obR gene encoding the murine ObR signal sequence (amino acid residues 1 to 23), extracellular domain (amino acid residues 24 to 837), transmembrane domain (amino acid residues 838 to 860), and cytoplasmic domain (amino acid residues 861 to 894).

FIG. 2. AP-Ob fusion protein binding studies. COS-7 cells transfected with the ObR cDNA were treated with various AP or AP-Ob fusion proteins at 1nM (diluted in DMEM+10% FBS). Columns show the average of two binding determinations and error bars show the difference between the two. 1) Unfused AP, 2) AP-Ob (mouse), 3) AP-Ob (mouse)+100 nM mouse Ob, 4) AP-Ob (mouse)+100 nM human Ob, 5) AP-Ob (human), 6) Ob-AP, 7) AP-Ob (mouse) incubated with mock transfected (sector- no,insert) COS-7 cells.

FIGS. 3A-3F. Nucletoide sequence (SEQ. ID. No.:3) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ.ID.No.:4) of human obR gene encoding the human ObR signal sequence (amino acid residues 1 to 20) extracellular domain (amino acid residues 21 to 839), transmembrane domain (amino acid residues 840-862), and cytoplasmic domain (amino acid residues 863 to 1165). Also depicted are 5′ untranslated nucleotide sequences.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

ObR, described for the first time herein, is a novel receptor protein that participates in body weight regulation. ObR is a transmembrane protein that spans the membrane once and belongs to the Class I family of cytokine receptors. Signal transduction is triggered by the binding of ob to the receptor. Neutralization of Ob, removal of Ob, or interference with its binding to ObR results in weight gain.

The invention encompasses the use of obR nucleotides, ObR proteins and peptides, as well as antibodies to the ObR (which can, for example, act as ObR agonists or antagonists), antagonists that inhibit receptor activity or expression, or agonists that activate receptor activity or increase its expression in the diagnosis and treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to obesity, cachexia and anorexia in animals, including humans. Since obesity is believed to have many causes, the diagnosis of an ObR abnormality in a patient will assist in devising a proper treatment or therapeutic regimen. In addition, obR nucleotides and ObR proteins are useful for the identification of compounds effective in the treatment of body weight disorders regulated by the ObR.

In particular, the invention described in the subsections below encompasses ObR, polypeptides or peptides corresponding to functional domains of the ObR (e.g., ECD, TM or CD), truncated or deleted ObRs (e.g. an ObR with one or more functional domains deleted, such as ΔTM and/or ΔCD), ObR fusion proteins, nucleotide sequences encoding such products, and host cell expression systems that can produce such ObR products. The invention also encompasses antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists and agonists of the ObR, as well as compounds or nucleotide constructs that inhibit expression of the obR gene (transcription factor inhibitors, antisense and ribozyme molecules, or gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs) or promote expression of ObR (e.g., expression constructs in which obR coding sequences are operatively associated with expression control elements such as promoters, promoter/enhancers, etc.). The invention also relates to host cells and animals genetically engineered to express the human ObR (or mutants thereof) or to inhibit or “knock-out” expression of the animal's endogenous ObR.

The ObR proteins or peptides, ObR fusion proteins, obR nucleotide sequences, antibodies, antagonists and agonists can be useful for the detection of mutant ObRs or inappropriately expressed ObRs for the diagnosis of body weight disorders such as obesity, anorexia or cachexia. The ObR proteins or peptides, ObR fusion proteins, obR nucleotide sequences, host cell expression systems, antibodies, antagonists, agonists and genetically engineered cells and animals can be used for screening for drugs effective in the treatment of such body weight disorders. The use of engineered host cells and/or animals may offer an advantage in that such systems allow not only for the identification of compounds that bind to the ECD of the ObR, but can also identify compounds that affect the signal transduced-by the activated ObR.

Finally, the ObR protein products (especially soluble derivatives such as peptides corresponding to the ObR ECD, or truncated polypeptides lacking the TM domain) and fusion protein products, antibodies (including Fab fragments), antagonists or agonists (including compounds that modulate signal transduction which may act on downstream targets in the ObR signal transduction pathway) can be used for therapy of such diseases. For example, the administration of an effective amount of soluble ObR ECD would “mop up” or “neutralize” endogenous Ob, and prevent or reduce binding and receptor activation, leading to weight gain. Nucleotide constructs encoding functional or mutant ObRs, as well as antisense and ribozyme molecules can be used in “gene therapy” approaches for the modulation of ObR expression and/or activity in the treatment of weight disorders. Thus, the invention also encompasses pharmaceutical formulations and methods for treating body weight disorders.

The invention is based, in part, on the Applicants' surprising discovery of a high affinity receptor for ob expressed at significant concentration in the choroid plexus. This discovery was made possible by using a novel alkaline phosphatase/Ob (AP-ob) fusion protein for in situ staining of cells and tissue. Competition studies with unlabeled Ob confirmed that the in situ binding observed was specific for Ob. Murine obR cDNA was identified using AP-Ob fusion protein to screen an expression library of cDNAs synthesized from murine choroid plexus mRNA and transiently transfected into mammalian COS cells. A clone, famj5312, expressing a high affinity receptor for ob was identified and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that the obR cDNA and predicted amino acid sequence are novel sequences containing amino acid regions indicating that ObR is a member of the Class I family of receptor proteins. Further, mapping studies are presented which are consistent with mapping to the same region to which the db locus maps. Still further, famj5312 sequence was utilized to screen a human fetal brain cDNA library, which resulted in the identification of a human obR cDNA clone described herein.

5.1. THE ObR GENE

The cDNA sequence (SEQ. ID. No. 1) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ. ID. No. 2) of the murine ObR signal sequence, extracellular domain, transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic domain is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. The ObR signal sequence extends from amino acid residue 1 to 23 of FIGS. 1A-1D; the extracellular domain of the ObR extends from amino acid residue number 24 to 837 of FIGS. 1A-1D; the transmembrane domain of the ObR extends from amino acid residue 838-860 of FIGS. 1A-1D; and the cytoplasmic domain of the obr extends from amino acid residue 861-894 of FIGS. 1A-1D.

The cDNA (SEQ. ID. No:3) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ. ID. No:4) of the human ObR signal sequence, extracellular domain, transmembrane domain and ctyoplasmic domain are shown in FIGS. 3A-3F. The human ObR signal sequence extends from amino acid residue 1 to 20 of FIGS. 3A-3F; the extracellular domain of the human ObR extends from amino acid residue 21 to 839 of FIGS. 3A-3F; the transmembrane domain of the ObR extends from amino acid residue number 840 to 862 of FIGS. 3A-3F; and the cytoplasmic domain extends from amino acid residue number 863 to 1165 of FIGS. 3A-3F.

The obR nucleotide sequences of the invention include: (a) the DNA sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or 3A-3F or contained in the cDNA clone famj5312 within E. coli strain 5312B4F3 as deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d within E. coli strain h-OBRD as deposited with the ATCC; (b) nucleotide sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or 3A-3F, or the ObR amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC; (c) any nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or 3A-3F or contained in the cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, under highly stringent conditions, e.g., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO₄, 7% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. (Ausubel F. M. et al., eds., 1989, Current Protocols on Molecular Biology, Vol. I, Green Publishing Associates, Inc., and John Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, at p. 2.10.3) and encodes a functionally equivalent gene product; and (d) any nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequences that encode the amino acid sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or 3A-3F or contained in cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, under less stringent conditions, such as moderately stringent conditions, e.g., washing in 0.233 SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989, supra), yet which still encodes a functionally equivalent obR gene product. Functional equivalents of the ObR include naturally occurring ObR present in other species, and mutant ObRs whether naturally occurring or engineered. The invention also includes degenerate variants of sequences (a) through (d). cDNA clone famj5312 within E.coli strain 5312B4F3 as deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d within E.coli strain h-OBRD deposited with the ATCC; (b) nucleotide sequence that encodes the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 or 3, or the ObR amino acid sequence encoded by the cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC; (c) any nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequence shown in FIG. 1 or 3 or contained in the cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, under highly stringent conditions, e.g., hybridization to filter-bound DNA in 0.5 M NaHPO_(4, 7)% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 1 mM EDTA at 65° C., and washing in 0.1×SSC/0.1% SDS at 68° C. (Ausubel F. M. et al., eds., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Vol. I, Green Publishing Associates, Inc., and John Wiley & sons, Inc., New York, at p. 2.10.3) and encodes a functionally equivalent gene product; and (d) any nucleotide sequence that hybridizes to the complement of the DNA sequences that encode the amino acid sequence shown in FIG. 1 or 3 or contained in cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or contained in the cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC, under less stringent conditions, such as moderately stringent conditions, e.g., washing in 0.2×SSC/0.1% SDS at 42° C. (Ausubel et al., 1989, supra), yet which still encodes a functionally equivalent obR gene product. Functional equivalents of the ObR include naturally occurring ObR present in other species, and mutant ObRs whether naturally occurring or engineered. The invention also includes degenerate variants of sequences (a) through (d).

The invention also includes nucleic acid molecules, preferably DNA molecules, that hybridize to, and are therefore the complements of, the nucleotide sequences (a) through (d), in the preceding paragraph. Such hybridization conditions may be highly stringent or less highly stringent, as described above. In instances wherein the nucleic acid molecules are deoxyoligonucleotides (“oligos”), highly stringent conditions may refer, e.g., to washing in 6×SSC/0.05% sodium pyrophosphate at 37° C. (for 14-base oligos), 48° C. (for 17-base oligos), 55° C. (for 20-base oligos), and 60° C. (for 23-base oligos). These nucleic acid molecules may encode or act as obR antisense molecules, useful, for example, in obR gene regulation (for and/or as antisense primers in amplification reactions of obR gene nucleic acid sequences. With respect to obR gene regulation, such techniques can be used to regulate, for example, cachexia and/or anorexia. Further, such sequences may be used as part of ribozyme and/or triple helix sequences, also useful for obR gene regulation. Still further, such molecules may be used as components of diagnostic methods whereby, for example, the presence of a particular obR allele responsible for causing a weight disorder, such as obesity, may be detected.

In addition to the obR nucleotide sequences described above, full length obR gene sequences present in the same species and/or homologs of the obR gene present in other species can be identified and readily isolated, without undue experimentation, by molecular biological techniques well known in the art. For example, expression libraries of cDNAs synthesized from choroid plexus mRNA derived from the organism of interest can be screened using labeled ob derived from that species, e.g., an AP-Ob fusion protein. Alternatively, such cDNA libraries, or genomic DNA libraries derived from the organism of interest can be screened by hybridization using the nucleotides described herein as hybridization or amplification probes. Furthermore, genes at other genetic loci within the genome that encode proteins which have extensive homology to one or more domains of the obR gene product can also be identified via similar techniques. In the case of cDNA libraries, such screening techniques can identify clones derived from alternatively spliced transcripts in the same or different species.

Screening can be by filter hybridization, using duplicate filters. The labeled probe can contain at least 15-30 base pairs of the obR nucleotide sequence, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D or 3A-3F. The hybridization washing conditions used should be of a lower stringency when the cDNA library is derived from an organism different from the type of organism from which the labeled sequence was derived. With respect to the cloning of a human obR homolog, using murine obR probes, for example, hybridization can, for example, be performed at 65° C overnight in Church's buffer (7% SDS, 250 mM NaHPO₄, 2 μM EDTA, 1% BSA). Washes can be done with 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. and then at 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C.

Low stringency conditions are well known to those of skill in the art, and will vary predictably depending on the specific organisms from which the library and the labeled sequences are derived. For guidance regarding such conditions see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Springs Harbor Press, N.Y.; and Ausubel et al., 1989, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Green Publishing Associates and Wiley Interscience, N.Y.

Alternatively, the labeled obR nucleotide probe may be used to screen a genomic library derived from the organism of interest, again, using appropriately stringent conditions.

Further, an obR gene homolog may be isolated from nucleic acid of the organism of interest by performing PCR using two degenerate oligonucleotide primer pools designed on the basis of amino acid sequences within the obR gene product disclosed herein. The template for the reaction may be cDNA obtained by reverse transcription of mRNA prepared from, for example, human or non-human cell lines or tissue, such as choroid plexus, known or suspected to express an obR gene allele.

The PCR product may be subcloned and sequenced to ensure that the amplified sequences represent the sequences of an obR gene. The PCR fragment may then be used to isolate a full length cDNA clone by a variety of methods. For example, the amplified fragment may be labeled and used to screen a cDNA library, such as a bacteriophage cDNA library.

Alternatively, the labeled fragment may be used to isolate genomic clones via the screening of a genomic library.

PCR technology may also be utilized to isolate full length cDNA sequences. For example, RNA may be isolated, following standard procedures, from an appropriate cellular or tissue source (i.e., one known, or suspected, to express the obR gene, such as, for example, choroid plexus or brain tissue). A reverse transcription reaction may be performed on the RNA using an oligonucleotide primer specific for the most 5′ end of the amplified fragment for the priming of first strand synthesis. The resulting RNA/DNA hybrid may then be “tailed” with guanines using a standard terminal transferase reaction, the hybrid may be digested with RNAase H, and second strand synthesis may then be primed with a poly-C primer. Thus, cDNA sequences upstream of the amplified fragment may easily be isolated. For a review of cloning strategies which may be used, see e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

The obR gene sequences may additionally be used to isolate mutant obR gene alleles. Such mutant alleles may be isolated from individuals either known or proposed to have a genotype which contributes to the symptoms of body weight disorders such as obesity, cachexia or anorexia. Mutant alleles and mutant allele products may then be utilized in the therapeutic and diagnostic systems described below. Additionally, such obR gene sequences can be used to detect obR gene regulatory (e.g., promoter) defects which can affect body weight.

A cDNA of a mutant obR gene may be isolated, for example, by using PCR, a technique which is well known to those of skill in the art. In this case, the first cDNA strand may be synthesized by hybridizing an oligo-dT oligonucleotide to mRNA isolated from tissue known or suspected to be expressed in an individual putatively carrying the mutant obR allele, and by extending the new strand with reverse transcriptase. The second strand of the cDNA is then synthesized using an oligonucleotide that hybridizes specifically to the 5′ end of the normal gene. Using these two primers, the product is then amplified via PCR, cloned into a suitable vector, and subjected to DNA sequence analysis through methods well known to those of skill in the art. By comparing the DNA sequence of the mutant obR allele to that of the normal obR allele, the mutation(s) responsible for the loss or alteration of function of the mutant obR gene product can be ascertained.

Alternatively, a genomic library can be constructed using DNA obtained from an individual suspected of or known to carry the mutant obR allele, or a cDNA library can be constructed using RNA from a tissue known, or suspected, to express the mutant obR allele. The normal obR gene or any suitable fragment thereof may then be labeled and used as a probe to identify the corresponding mutant obR allele in such libraries. Clones containing the mutant obR gene sequences may then be purified and subjected to sequence analysis according to methods well known to those of skill in the art.

Additionally, an expression library can be constructed utilizing cDNA synthesized from, for example, RNA isolated from a tissue known, or suspected, to express a mutant obR allele in an individual suspected of or known to carry such a mutant allele. In this manner, gene products made by the putatively mutant tissue may be expressed and screened using standard antibody screening techniques in conjunction with antibodies raised against the normal obR gene product, as described, below, in Section 5.3. (For screening techniques, see, for example, Harlow, E. and Lane, eds., 1988, “Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Press, Cold Spring Harbor.) Additionally, screening can be accomplished by screening with labeled ob fusion proteins, such as, for example, AP-Ob or Ob-Ap fusion proteins. In cases where an obR mutation results in an expressed gene product with altered function (e.g., as a result of a missense or a frameshift mutation), a polyclonal set of antibodies to ObR are likely to cross-react with the mutant ObR gene product. Library clones detected via their reaction with such labeled antibodies can be purified and subjected to sequence analysis according to methods well known to those of skill in the art.

The invention also encompasses nucleotide sequences that encode peptide fragments of the ObR, truncated ObRs, and ObR fusion proteins. These include, but are not limited to nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides or peptides corresponding to the ECD, TM and/or CD domains of the ObR; truncated ObRs in which one or two of the domains is deleted, e.g., a soluble ObR lacking the TM and/or CD region. Nucleotides encoding fusion proteins may include by are not limited to full length ObR, truncated ObR or peptide fragments of ObR fused to an unrelated protein or peptide such as any sequence, such as, for example, a transmembrane sequence, which anchors the ObR ECD to the cell membrane, or an enzyme, fluorescent protein, luminescent protein, and Ig domain, etc.

The invention also encompasses (a) DNA vectors that contain any of the foregoing ObR coding sequences and/or their complements (i.e., antisense); (b) DNA expression vectors that contain any of the foregoing ObR coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequences; and (c) genetically engineered host cells that contain any of the foregoing ObR coding sequences operatively associated with a regulatory element that directs the expression of the coding sequences in the host cell. As used herein, regulatory elements include but are not limited to inducible and non-inducible promoters, enhancers, operators and other elements known to those skilled in the art that drive and regulate expression. Such regulatory elements include but are not limited to the cytomegalovirus hCMV immediate early gene, the early or late promoters of SV40 adenovirus, the lac system, the trp system, the TAC system, the TRC system, the major operator and promoter regions of phage A, the control regions of fd coat protein, the promoter for 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, the promoters of acid phosphatase, and the promoters of the yeast α-mating factors.

5.2. ObR PROTEINS AND POLYPEPTIDES

ObR protein, polypeptides and peptide fragments, truncated or deleted forms of the ObR and/or ObR fusion proteins can be prepared for a variety of uses, including but not limited to the generation of antibodies, as reagents in diagnostic assays, the identification of other cellular gene products involved in the regulation of body weight, as reagents in assays for screening for compounds that can be used in the treatment of body weight disorders, and as pharmaceutical reagents useful in the treatment of body weight disorders related to the ObR.

FIGS. 1A-1D shows the amnino acid sequence of the murine ObR signal sequence, ECD, TM and CD. FIGS. 3A-3F shows the amino acid sequence of the human ObR signal sequence, ECD, TM and CD. The ObR amino acid sequences of the invention include the amino acid sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-1D (SEQ. ID. No:2) or FIGS. 3A-3F (SEQ. ID. No:4), or the amino acid sequence encoded by cDNA clone famj5312 as deposited with the ATCC or encoded by cDNA clone fahj5312d as deposited with the ATCC. Further, ObRs of other species are encompassed by the invention. In fact, any ObR protein encoded by the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1, above, are within the scope of the invention.

The invention also encompasses proteins that are functionally equivalent to the ObR encoded by the nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1, as judged by any of a number of criteria, including but not limited to the ability to bind Ob, the binding affinity for Ob, the resulting biological effect of Ob binding, e.g., signal transduction, a change in cellular metabolism or phenotype when the ObR equivalent is present in an appropriate cell type (such as the amelioration, prevention or delay of the obese phenotype, i.e., the db or ob phenotype), or weight loss. Such functionally equivalent ObR proteins include but are not limited to additions or substitutions of amino acid residues within the amino acid sequence encoded by the obR nucleotide sequences described, above, in Section 5.1, but which result in a silent change, thus producing a functionally equivalent gene product. Amino acid substitutions may be made on the basis of similarity in polarity, charge, solubility, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and/or the amphipathic nature of the residues involved. For example, nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine; polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine; positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine, and histidine; and negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid.

Peptides corresponding to one or more domains of the ObR (e.g., ECD, TM or CD), truncated or deleted ObRs (e.g., ObR in which the TM and/or CD is deleted) as well as fusion proteins in which the full length ObR, and ObR peptide or truncated ObR is fused to an unrelated protein, such as, any amino acid sequence which allows the fusion to be anchored to the cell surface, allowing the ECD to be exhibited on the cell surface, or an enzyme, fluorescent protein, luminescent protein or Ig molecule, are also within the scope of the invention and can be designed on the basis of the obR nucleotide and ObR amino acid sequences disclosed in this Section and in Section 5.1, above.

While the ObR polypeptides and peptides can be chemically synthesized (e.g., see Creighton, 1983, Proteins: Structures and Molecular Principles, W. H. Freeman & Co., N.Y.), large polypeptides derived from the ObR and the full length ObR itself may advantageously be produced by recombinant DNA technology using techniques well known in the art for expressing nucleic acid containing obR gene sequences and/or coding sequences. Such methods can be used to construct expression vectors containing the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1 and appropriate transcriptional and translational control signals. These methods include, for example, in vitro recombinant DNA techniques, synthetic techniques, and in vivo genetic recombination. See, for example, the techniques described in Sambrook et al., 1989, suora, and Ausubel et al., 1989, supra. Alternatively, RNA capable of encoding obR nucleotide sequences may be chemically synthesized using, for example, synthesizers. See, for example, the techniques described in “Oligonucleotide Synthesis”, 1984, Gait, M. J. ed., IRL Press, Oxford, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

A variety of host-expression vector systems may be utilized to express the obR nucleotide sequences of the invention. Where the ObR peptide or polypeptide is a soluble derivative (e.g., ObR peptides corresponding to the ECD; truncated or deleted ObR in which the TM and/or CD are deleted) the peptide or polypeptide can be recovered from the culture, i.e., from the host cell in cases where the ObR peptide or polypeptide is not secreted, and from the culture media in cases where the ObR peptide or polypeptide is secreted by the cells. However, the expression systems also encompass engineered host cells that express the ObR or functional equivalents in situ, i.e., anchored in the cell membrane. Purification or enrichment of the ObR from such expression systems can be accomplished using appropriate detergents and lipid micelles and methods well known to those skilled in the art. However, such engineered host cells themselves may be used in situations where it is important not only to retain the structural and functional characteristics of the ObR, but to assess biological activity, e.g., in drug screening assays.

The expression systems that may be used for purposes of the invention include but are not limited to microorganisms such as bacteria (e.g., E. coli, B. subtilis) transformed with recombinant bacteriophage DNA, plasmid DNA or cosmid DNA expression vectors containing obR nucleotide sequences; yeast (e.g., Saccharomyces, Pichia) transformed with recombinant yeast expression vectors containing the obR nucleotide sequences; insect cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., baculovirus) containing the obR sequences; plant cell systems infected with recombinant virus expression vectors (e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus, CaMV; tobacco mosaic virus, TMV) or transformed with recombinant plasmid expression vectors (e.g., Ti plasmid) containing obR nucleotide sequences; or mammalian cell systems (e.g., COS, CHO, BHK, 293, 3T3) harboring recombinant expression constructs containing promoters derived from the genome of mammalian cells (e.g., metallothionein promoter) or from mammalian viruses (e.g., the adenovirus late promoter; the vaccinia virus 7.5K promoter).

In bacterial systems, a number of expression vectors may be advantageously selected depending upon the use intended for the obR gene product being expressed. For example, when a large quantity of such a protein is to be produced, for the generation of pharmaceutical compositions of ObR protein or for raising antibodies to the ObR protein, for example, vectors which direct the expression of high levels of fusion protein products that are readily purified may be desirable. Such vectors include, but are not limited, to the E. coli expression vector pUR278 (Ruther et al., 1983, EMBO J. 2:1791), in which the obR coding sequence may be ligated individually into the vector in frame with the lacZ coding region so that a fusion protein is produced; pIN vectors (Inouye & Inouye, 1985, Nucleic Acids Res. 13:3101-3109; Van Heeke & Schuster, 1989, J. Biol. Chem. 264:5503-5509); and the like. PGEX vectors may also be used to express foreign polypeptides as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST). In general, such fusion proteins are soluble and can easily be purified from lysed cells by adsorption to glutathione-agarose beads followed by elution in the presence of free glutathione. The pGEX vectors are designed to include thrombin or factor Xa protease cleavage sites so that the cloned target gene product can be released from the GST moiety.

In an insect system, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) is used as a vector to express foreign genes. The virus grows in Spodoptera frupirerda cells. The obR gene coding sequence may be cloned individually into non-essential regions (for example the polyhedrin gene) of the virus and placed under control of an AcNPV promoter (for example the polyhedrin promoter). Successful insertion of obR gene coding sequence will result in inactivation of the polyhedrin gene and production of non-occluded recombinant virus (i.e., virus lacking the proteinaceous coat coded for by the polyhedrin gene). These recombinant viruses are then used to infect Spodoptera frugiperda cells in which the inserted gene is expressed. (E.g., see Smith et al., 1983, J. Virol. 46: 584; Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,051).

In mammalian host cells, a number of viral-based expression systems may be utilized. In cases where an adenovirus is used as an expression vector, the obR nucleotide sequence of interest may be ligated to an adenovirus transcription/translation control complex, e.g., the late promoter and tripartite leader sequence. This chimeric gene may then be inserted in the adenovirus genome by in vitro or in vivo recombination. Insertion in a non-essential region of the viral genome (e.g., region E1 or E3) will result in a recombinant virus that is viable and capable of expressing the obR gene product in infected hosts. (E.g., See Logan & Shenk, 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81:3655-3659). Specific initiation signals may also be required for efficient translation of inserted obR nucleotide sequences. These signals include the ATG initiation codon and adjacent sequences. In cases where an entire obR gene or cDNA, including its own initiation codon and adjacent sequences, is inserted into the appropriate expression vector, no additional translational control signals may be needed. However, in cases where only a portion of the obR coding sequence is inserted, exogenous translational control signals, including, perhaps, the ATG initiation codon, must be provided. Furthermore, the initiation codon must be in phase with the reading frame of the desired coding sequence to ensure translation of the entire insert. These exogenous translational control signals and initiation codons can be of a variety of origins, both natural and synthetic. The efficiency of expression may be enhanced by the inclusion of appropriate transcription enhancer elements, transcription terminators, etc. (see Bittner et al., 1987, Methods in Enzymol. 153:516-544).

In addition, a host cell strain may be chosen which modulates the expression of the inserted sequences, or modifies and processes the gene product in the specific fashion desired. Such modifications (e.g., glycosylation) and processing (e.g., cleavage) of protein products may be important for the function of the protein. Different host cells have characteristic and specific mechanisms for the post-translational processing and modification of proteins and gene products. Appropriate cell lines or host systems can be chosen to ensure the correct modification and processing of the foreign protein expressed. To this end, eukaryotic host cells which possess the cellular machinery for proper processing of the primary transcript, glycosylation, and phosphorylation of the gene product may be used. Such mammalian host cells include but are not limited to CHO, VERO, BHK, HeLa, COS, MDCK, 293, 3T3, WI38, and in particular, choroid plexus cell lines.

For long-term, high-yield production of recombinant proteins, stable expression is preferred. For example, cell lines which stably express the obR gene product may be engineered. Rather than using expression vectors which contain viral origins of replication, host cells can be transformed with DNA controlled by appropriate expression control elements (e.g., promoter, enhancer, sequences, transcription terminators, polyadenylation sites, etc.), and a selectable marker. Following the introduction of the foreign DNA, engineered cells may be allowed to grow for 1-2 days in an enriched media, and then are switched to a selective media. The selectable marker in the recombinant plasmid confers resistance to the selection and allows cells to stably integrate the plasmid into their chromosomes and grow to form foci which in turn can be cloned and expanded into cell lines. This method may advantageously be used to engineer cell lines which express the obR gene product. Such engineered cell lines may be particularly useful in screening and evaluation of compounds that affect the endogenous activity of the obR gene product.

A number of selection systems may be used, including but not limited to the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (Wigler, et al., 1977, Cell 11:223), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Szybalska & Szybalski, 1962, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48:2026), and adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (Lowy, et al., 1980, Cell 22:817) genes can be employed in tk⁻, hgprt⁻ or aprt⁻ cells, respectively. Also, antimetabolite resistance can be used as the basis of selection for the following genes: dhfr, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Wigler, et al., 1980, Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77:3567; O'Hare, et al., 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:1527); gpt, which confers resistance to mycophenolic acid (Mulligan & Berg, 1981, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78:2072); neo, which confers resistance to the aminoglycoside G-418 (Colberre-Garapin, et al., 1981, J. Mol. Biol. 150:1); and hygro, which confers resistance to hygromycin (Santerre, et al., 1984, Gene 30:147).

Alternatively, any fusion protein may be readily purified by utilizing an antibody specific for the fusion protein being expressed. For example, a system described by Janknecht et al. allows for the ready purification of nondenatured fusion proteins expressed in human cell lines (Janknecht, et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 8972-8976). In this system, the gene of interest is subcloned into a vaccinia recombination plasmid such that the gene's open reading frame is translationally fused to an amino-terminal tag consisting of six histidine residues. Extracts from cells infected with recombinant vaccinia virus are loaded onto Ni²⁺ nitriloacetic acid-agarose columns and histidine-tagged proteins are selectively eluted with imidazole-containing buffers.

The obR gene products can also be expressed in transgenic animals. Animals of any species, including, but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, micro-pigs, goats, and non-human primates, e.g., baboons, monkeys, and chimpanzees may be used to generate obR transgenic animals.

Any technique known in the art may be used to introduce the obR transgene into animals to produce the founder lines of transgenic animals. Such techniques include, but are not limited to pronuclear microinjection (Hoppe, P. C. and Wagner, T. E., 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,191); retrovirus mediated gene transfer into germ lines (Van der Putten et al., 1985, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 82:6148-6152); gene targeting in embryonic stem cells (Thompson et al., 1989, Cell 56:313-321); electroporation of embryos (Lo, 1983, Mol Cell. Biol. 3:1803-1814); and sperm-mediated gene transfer (Lavitrano et al., 1989, Cell 57:717-723); etc. For a review of such techniques, see Gordon, 1989, Transgenic Animals, Intl. Rev. Cytol. 115:171-229, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention provides for transgenic animals that carry the obR transgene in all their cells, as well as animals which carry the transgene in some, but not all their cells, i.e., mosaic animals. The transgene may be integrated as a single transgene or in concatamers, e.g., head-to-head tandems or head-to-tail tandems. The transgene may also be selectively introduced into and activated in a particular cell type by following, for example, the teaching of Lasko et al. (Lasko, M. et al., 1992, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 6232-6236). The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-type specific activation will depend upon the particular cell type of interest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art. When it is desired that the obR gene transgene be integrated into the chromosomal site of the endogenous obR gene, gene targeting is preferred. Briefly, when such a technique is to be utilized, vectors containing some nucleotide sequences homologous to the endogenous obR gene are designed for the purpose of integrating, via homologous recombination with chromosomal sequences, into and disrupting the function of the nucleotide sequence of the endogenous obR gene. The transgene may also be selectively introduced into a particular cell type, thus inactivating the endogenous obR gene in only that cell type, by following, for example, the teaching of Gu et al. (Gu, et al., 1994, Science 265: 103-106). The regulatory sequences required for such a cell-type specific inactivation will depend upon the particular cell type of interest, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

Once transgenic animals have been generated, the expression of the recombinant obR gene may be assayed utilizing standard techniques. Initial screening may be accomplished by Southern blot analysis or PCR techniques to analyze animal tissues to assay whether integration of the transgene has taken place. The level of mRNA expression of the transgene in the tissues of the transgenic animals may also be assessed using techniques which include but are not limited to Northern blot analysis of tissue samples obtained from the animal, in situ hybridization analysis, and RT-PCR. Samples of obR gene-expressing tissue, may also be evaluated immunocytochemically using antibodies specific for the obR transgene product.

5.3. ANTIBODIES TO ObR PROTEINS

Antibodies that specifically recognize one or more epitopes of ObR, or epitopes of conserved variants of ObR, or peptide fragments of the ObR are also encompassed by the invention. Such antibodies include but are not limited to polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), humanized or chimeric antibodies, single chain antibodies, Fab fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, fragments produced by a Fab expression library, anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies, and epitope-binding fragments of any of the above.

The antibodies of the invention may be used, for example, in the detection of the ObR in a biological sample and may, therefore, be utilized as part of a diagnostic or prognostic technique whereby patients may be tested for abnormal amounts of ObR. Such antibodies may also be utilized in conjunction with, for example, compound screening schemes, as described, below, in Section 5.5, for the evaluation of the effect of test compounds on expression and/or activity of the obR gene product. Additionally, such antibodies can be used in conjunction with the gene therapy techniques described, below, in Section 5.6, to, for example, evaluate the normal and/or engineered ObR-expressing cells prior to their introduction into the patient. Such antibodies may additionally be used as a method for the inhibition of abnormal ObR activity. Thus, such antibodies may, therefore, be utilized as part of weight disorder treatment methods.

For the production of antibodies, various host animals may be immunized by injection with the ObR, an ObR peptide (e.g., one corresponding the a functional domain of the receptor, such as ECD, TM or CD), truncated ObR polypeptides (ObR in which one or more domains, e.g., the TM or CD, has been deleted), functional equivalents of the ObR or mutants of the ObR. Such host animals may include but are not limited to rabbits, mice, and rats, to name but a few. Various adjuvants may be used to increase the immunological response, depending on the host species, including but not limited to Freund's (complete and incomplete), mineral gels such as aluminum hydroxide, surface active substances such as lysolecithin, pluronic polyols, polyanions, peptides, oil emulsions, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, dinitrophenol, and potentially useful human adjuvants such as BCG (bacille Calmette-Guerin) and Corynebacterium parvum. Polyclonal antibodies are heterogeneous populations of antibody molecules derived from the sera of the immunized animals.

Monoclonal antibodies, which are homogeneous populations of antibodies to a particular antigen, may be obtained by any technique which provides for the production of antibody molecules by continuous cell lines in culture. These include, but are not limited to, the hybridoma technique of Kohler and Milstein, (1975, Nature 256:495-497; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,110), the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kosbor et al., 1983, Immunology Today 4:72; Cole et al., 1983, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:2026-2030), and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole et al., 1985, Monoclonal Antibodies And Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96). Such antibodies may be of any immunoglobulin class including IgG, IgM, IgE, IgA, IgD and any subclass thereof. The hybridoma producing the mAb of this invention may be cultivated in vitro or in vivo. Production of high titers of mAbs in vivo makes this the presently preferred method of production.

In addition, techniques developed for the production of “chimeric antibodies” (Morrison et al., 1984, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 81:6851-6855; Neuberger et al., 1984, Nature, 312:604-608; Takeda et al., 1985, Nature, 314:452-454) by splicing the genes from a mouse antibody molecule of appropriate antigen specificity together with genes from a human antibody molecule of appropriate biological activity can be used. A chimeric antibody is a molecule in which different portions are derived from different animal species, such as those having a variable region derived from a murine mAb and a human immunoglobulin constant region.

Alternatively, techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,778; Bird, 1988, Science 242:423-426; Huston et al., 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5879-5883; and Ward et al., 1989, Nature 334:544-546) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies against obR gene products. Single chain antibodies are formed by linking the heavy and light chain fragments of the Fv region via an amino acid bridge, resulting in a single chain polypeptide.

Antibody fragments which recognize specific epitopes may be generated by known techniques. For example, such fragments include but are not limited to: the F(ab′)₂ fragments which can be produced by pepsin digestion of the antibody molecule and the Fab fragments which can be generated by reducing the disulfide bridges of the F(ab′)₂ fragments. Alternatively, Fab expression libraries may be constructed (Huse et al., 1989, Science, 246:1275-1281) to allow rapid and easy identification of monoclonal Fab fragments with the desired specificity.

5.4. DIAGNOSIS OF BODY WEIGHT DISORDER ABNORMALITIES

A variety of methods can be employed for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia and anorexia, and for the identification of subjects having a predisposition to such disorders.

Such methods may, for example, utilize reagents such as the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1, and ObR antibodies, as described, in Section 5.3. Specifically, such reagents may be used, for example, for: (1) the detection of the presence of obR gene mutations, or the detection of either over- or under-expression of obR mRNA relative to the non-body weight disorder state; and (2) the detection of either an over- or an under-abundance of obR gene product relative to the non-body weight disorder state.

The methods described herein may be performed, for example, by utilizing pre-packaged diagnostic kits comprising at least one specific obR nucleotide sequence or ObR antibody reagent described herein, which may be conveniently used, e.g., in clinical settings, to diagnose patients exhibiting body weight disorder abnormalities.

For the detection of obR mutations, any nucleated cell can be used as a starting source for genomic nucleic acid. For the detection of obR gene expression or obR gene products, any cell type or tissue in which the obR gene is expressed, such as, for example, choroid plexus cells, may be utilized.

Nucleic acid-based detection techniques are described, below, in Section 5.4.1. Peptide detection techniques are described, below, in Section 5.4.2.

5.4.1. DETECTION OF THE obR GENE AND TRANSCRIPTS

Mutations within the obR gene can be detected by utilizing a number of techniques. Nucleic acid from any nucleated cell can be used as the starting point for such assay techniques, and may be isolated according to standard nucleic acid preparation procedures which are well known to those of skill in the art.

DNA may be used in hybridization or amplification assays of biological samples to detect abnormalities involving obR gene structure, including point mutations, insertions, deletions and chromosomal rearrangements. Such assays may include, but are not limited to, Southern analyses, single stranded conformational polymorphism analyses (SSCP), and PCR analyses.

Such diagnostic methods for the detection of obR gene-specific mutations can involve for example, contacting and incubating nucleic acids including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, obtained from a sample, e.g., derived from a patient sample or other appropriate cellular source, with one or more labeled nucleic acid reagents including recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, as described in Section 5.1, under conditions favorable for the specific annealing of these reagents to their complementary sequences within the obR gene. Preferably, the lengths of these nucleic acid reagents are at least 15 to 30 nucleotides. After incubation, all non-annealed nucleic acids are removed from the nucleic acid:obR molecule hybrid. The presence of nucleic acids which have hybridized, if any such molecules exist, is then detected. Using such a detection scheme, the nucleic acid from the cell type or tissue of interest can be immobilized, for example, to a solid support such as a membrane, or a plastic surface such as that on a microtiter plate or polystyrene beads. In this case, after incubation, non-annealed, labeled nucleic acid reagents of the type described in Section 5.1 are easily removed. Detection of the remaining, annealed, labeled obR nucleic acid reagents is accomplished using standard techniques well-known to those in the art. The obR gene sequences to which the nucleic acid reagents have annealed can be compared to the annealing pattern expected from a normal obR gene sequence in order to determine whether an obR gene mutation is present.

Alternative diagnostic methods for the detection of obR gene specific nucleic acid molecules, in patient samples or other appropriate cell sources, may involve their amplification, e.g., by PCR (the experimental embodiment set forth in Mullis, K. B., 1987, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,202), followed by the detection of the amplified molecules using techniques well known to those of skill in the art. The resulting amplified sequences can be compared to those which would be expected if the nucleic acid being amplified contained only normal copies of the obR gene in order to determine whether an obR gene mutation exists.

Additionally, well-known genotyping techniques can be performed to identify individuals carrying obR gene mutations. Such techniques include, for example, the use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), which involve sequence variations in one of the recognition sites for the specific restriction enzyme used.

Additionally, improved methods for analyzing DNA polymorphisms which can be utilized for the identification of obR gene mutations have been described which capitalize on the presence of variable numbers of short, tandemly repeated DNA sequences between the restriction enzyme sites. For example, Weber (U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,217, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes a DNA marker based on length polymorphisms in blocks of (dC-dA)n-(dG-dT)n short tandem repeats. The average separation of (dC-dA)n-(dG-dT)n blocks is estimated to be 30,000-60,000 bp. Markers which are so closely spaced exhibit a high frequency co-inheritance, and are extremely useful in the identification of genetic mutations, such as, for example, mutations within the obR gene, and the diagnosis of diseases and disorders related to obR mutations.

Also, Caskey et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,759, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describe a DNA profiling assay for detecting short tri and tetra nucleotide repeat sequences. The process includes extracting the DNA of interest, such as the obR gene, amplifying the extracted DNA, and labelling the repeat sequences to form a genotypic map of the individual's DNA.

The level of obR gene expression can also be assayed by detecting and measuring obR transcription. For example, RNA from a cell type or tissue known, or suspected to express the obR gene, such as brain, especially choroid plexus cells, may be isolated and tested utilizing hybridization or PCR techniques such as are described, above. The isolated cells can be derived from cell culture or from a patient. The analysis of cells taken from culture may be a necessary step in the assessment of cells to be used as part of a cell-based gene therapy technique or, alternatively, to test the effect of compounds on the expression of the obR gene. Such analyses may reveal both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the expression pattern of the obR gene, including activation or inactivation of obR gene expression.

In one embodiment of such a detection scheme, cDNAs are synthesized from the RNAs of interest (e.g., by reverse transcription of the RNA molecule into cDNA). A sequence within the cDNA is then used as the template for a nucleic acid amplification reaction, such as a PCR amplification reaction, or the like. The nucleic acid reagents used as synthesis initiation reagents (e.g., primers) in the reverse transcription and nucleic acid amplification steps of this method are chosen from among the obR nucleic acid reagents described in Section 5.1. The preferred lengths of such nucleic acid reagents are at least 9-30 nucleotides. For detection of the amplified product, the nucleic acid amplification may be performed using radioactively or non-radioactively labeled nucleotides. Alternatively, enough amplified product may be made such that the product may be visualized by standard ethidium bromide staining or by utilizing any other suitable nucleic acid staining method.

Additionally, it is possible to perform such obR gene expression assays “in situ”, i.e., directly upon tissue sections (fixed and/or frozen) of patient tissue obtained from biopsies or resections, such that no nucleic acid purification is necessary. Nucleic acid reagents such as those described in Section 5.1 may be used as probes and/or primers for such in situ procedures (see, for example, Nuovo, G. J., 1992, “PCR In Situ Hybridization: Protocols And Applications”, Raven Press, N.Y.).

Alternatively, if a sufficient quantity of the appropriate cells can be obtained, standard Northern analysis can be performed to determine the level of mRNA expression of the obR gene.

5.4.2. DETECTION OF THE obR GENE PRODUCTS

Antibodies directed against wild type or mutant obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof, which are discussed, above, in Section 5.3, may also be used as body weight disorder diagnostics and prognostics, as described herein. Such diagnostic methods, may be used to detect abnormalities in the level of obR gene expression, or abnormalities in the structure and/or temporal, tissue, cellular, or subcellular location of the ObR, and may be performed in vivo or in vitro, such as, for example, on biopsy tissue.

For example, antibodies directed to epitopes of the ObR ECD can be used in vivo to detect the pattern and level of expression of the ObR in the body. Such antibodies can be labeled, e.g., with a radio-opaque or other appropriate compound and injected into a subject in order to visualize binding to the ObR expressed in the body using methods such as X-rays, CAT-scans, or MRI. Labeled antibody fragments, e.g., the Fab or single chain antibody comprising the smallest portion of the antigen binding region, are preferred for this purpose to promote crossing the blood-brain barrier and permit labeling ObRs expressed in the choroid plexus.

Additionally, any ObR fusion protein or ObR conjugated protein whose presence can be detected, can be administered.

For example, ObR fusion or conjugated proteins labeled with a radio-opaque or other appropriate compound can be administered and visualized in vivo, as discussed, above for labeled antibodies. Further such Ob fusion proteins as AP-Ob on Ob-Ap fusion proteins can be utilized for in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Alternatively, immunoassays or fusion protein detection assays, as described above, can be utilized on biopsy and autopsy samples in vitro to permit assessment of the expression pattern of the ObR. Such assays are not confined to the use of antibodies that define the ObR ECD, but can include the use of antibodies directed to epitopes of any of the domains of the ObR, e.g., the ECD, the TM and/or CD. The use of each or all of these labeled antibodies will yield useful information regarding translation and intracellular transport of the ObR to the cell surface, and can identify defects in processing.

The tissue or cell type to be analyzed will generally include those which are known, or suspected, to express the obR gene, such as, for example, choroid plexus cells. The protein isolation methods employed herein may, for example, be such as those described in Harlow and Lane (Harlow, E. and Lane, D., 1988, “Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual”, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The isolated cells can be derived from cell culture or from a patient. The analysis of cells taken from culture may be a necessary step in the assessment of cells that could be used as part of a cell-based gene therapy technique or, alternatively, to test the effect of compounds on the expression of the obR gene.

For example, antibodies, or fragments of antibodies, such as those described, above, in Section 5.3, useful in the present invention may be used to quantitatively or qualitatively detect the presence of obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof. This can be accomplished, for example, by immunofluorescence techniques employing a fluorescently labeled antibody (see below, this Section) coupled with light microscopic, flow cytometric, or fluorimetric detection. Such techniques are especially preferred if such obR gene products are expressed on the cell surface.

The antibodies (or fragments thereof) or Ob fusion or conjugated proteins useful in the present invention may, additionally, be employed histologically, as in immunofluorescence, immunoelectron microscopy or non-immuno assays, for in situ detection of obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof, or for Ob binding (in the case of labeled Ob fusion protein).

In situ detection may be accomplished by removing a histological specimen from a patient, and applying thereto a labeled antibody or fusion protein of the present invention. The antibody (or fragment) or fusion protein is preferably applied by overlaying the labeled antibody (or fragment) onto a biological sample. Through the use of such a procedure, it is possible to determine not only the presence of the obR gene product, or conserved variants or peptide fragments, or ob binding, but also its distribution in the examined tissue. Using the present invention, those of ordinary skill will readily perceive that any of a wide variety of histological methods (such as staining procedures) can be modified in order to achieve such in situ detection.

Immunoassays and non-immunoassays for obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof will typically comprise incubating a sample, such as a biological fluid, a tissue extract, freshly harvested cells, or lysates of cells which have been incubated in cell culture, in the presence of a detectably labeled antibody capable of identifying obR gene products or conserved variants or peptide fragments thereof, and detecting the bound antibody by any of a number of techniques well-known in the art.

The biological sample may be brought in contact with and immobilized onto a solid phase support or carrier such as nitrocellulose, or other solid support which is capable of immobilizing cells, cell particles or soluble proteins. The support may then be washed with suitable buffers followed by treatment with the detectably labeled ObR antibody or Ob fusion protein. The solid phase support may then be washed with the buffer a second time to remove unbound antibody or fusion protein. The amount of bound label on solid support may then be detected by conventional means.

By “solid phase support or carrier” is intended any support capable of binding an antigen or an antibody. Well-known supports or carriers include glass, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, dextran, nylon, amylases, natural and modified celluloses, polyacrylamides, gabbros, and magnetite. The nature of the carrier can be either soluble to some extent or insoluble for the purposes of the present invention. The support material may have virtually any possible structural configuration so long as the coupled molecule is capable of binding to an antigen or antibody. Thus, the support configuration may be spherical, as in a bead, or cylindrical, as in the inside surface of a test tube, or the external surface of a rod. Alternatively, the surface may be flat such as a sheet, test strip, etc. Preferred supports include polystyrene beads. Those skilled in the art will know many other suitable carriers for binding antibody or antigen, or will be able to ascertain the same by use of routine experimentation.

The binding activity of a given lot of ObR antibody or Ob fusion protein may be determined according to well known methods. Those skilled in the art will be able to determine operative and optimal assay conditions for each determination by employing routine experimentation.

With respect to antibodies, one of the ways in which the ObR antibody can be detectably labeled is by linking the same to an enzyme and use in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (Voller, A., “The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)”, 1978, Diagnostic Horizons 2:1-7, Microbiological Associates Quarterly Publication, Walkersville, Md.); Voller, A. et al., 1978, J. Clin. Pathol. 31:507-520; Butler, J. E., 1981, Meth. Enzymol. 73:482-523; Maggio, E. (ed.), 1980, Enzyme Immunoassay, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.,; Ishikawa, E. et al., (eds.), 1981, Enzyme Immunoassay, Kgaku Shoin, Tokyo). The enzyme which is bound to the antibody will react with an appropriate substrate, preferably a chromogenic substrate, in such a manner as to produce a chemical moiety which can be detected, for example, by spectrophotometric, fluorimetric or by visual means. Enzymes which can be used to detectably label the antibody include, but are not limited to, malate dehydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, delta-5-steroid isomerase, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate, dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase and acetylcholinesterase. The detection can be accomplished by calorimetric methods which employ a chromogenic substrate for the enzyme. Detection may also be accomplished by visual comparison of the extent of enzymatic reaction of a substrate in comparison with similarly prepared standards.

Detection may also be accomplished using any of a variety of other immunoassays. For example, by radioactively labeling the antibodies or antibody fragments, it is possible to detect ObR through the use of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) (see, for example, Weintraub, B., Principles of Radioimmunoassays, Seventh Training Course on Radioligand Assay Techniques, The Endocrine Society, March, 1986, which is incorporated by reference herein). The radioactive isotope can be detected by such means as the use of a gamma counter or a scintillation counter or by autoradiography.

It is also possible to label the antibody with a fluorescent compound. When the fluorescently labeled antibody is exposed to light of the proper wave length, its presence can then be detected due to fluorescence. Among the most commonly used fluorescent labeling compounds are fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde and fluorescamine.

The antibody can also be detectably labeled using fluorescence emitting metals such as ¹⁵²Eu, or others of the lanthanide series. These metals can be attached to the antibody using such metal chelating groups as diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

The antibody also can be detectably labeled by coupling it to a chemiluminescent compound. The presence of the chemiluminescent-tagged antibody is then determined by detecting the presence of luminescence that arises during the course of a chemical reaction. Examples of particularly useful chemiluminescent labeling compounds are luminol, isoluminol, theromatic acridinium ester, imidazole, acridinium salt and oxalate ester.

Likewise, a bioluminescent compound may be used to label the antibody of the present invention. Bioluminescence is a type of chemiluminescence found in biological systems in, which a catalytic protein increases the efficiency of the chemiluminescent reaction. The presence of a bioluminescent protein is determined by detecting the presence of luminescence. Important bioluminescent compounds for purposes of labeling are luciferin, luciferase and aequorin.

5.5. SCREENING ASSAYS FOR COMPOUNDS THAT MODULATE ObR EXPRESSION OR ACTIVITY

The following assays are designed to identify compounds that bind to ObR, compounds that bind to intracellular proteins that interact with ObR, compounds that interfere with the interaction of ObR with transmembrane or intracellular proteins involved in the signal transduction pathway, and to compounds which modulate the activity of obR gene (i.e., modulate the level of obR gene expression) or modulate the level of ObR. Assays may additionally be utilized which identify compounds which bind to obR gene regulatory sequences (e.g., promoter sequences) and which may modulate obR gene expression. See e.g., Platt, K. A., 1994, J. Biol. Chem. 269:28558-28562, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The compounds which may be screened in accordance with the invention include but are not limited to peptides, antibodies and fragments thereof, and other organic compounds (e.g., peptidomimetics) that bind to the ECD of the ObR and either mimic the activity triggered by the natural ligand (i.e., agonsists) or inhibit the activity triggered by the natural ligand (i.e., antagonists); as well as peptides, antibodies or fragments thereof, and other organic compounds that mimic the ECD of the ObR (or a portion thereof) and bind to and “neutralize” natural ligand.

Such compounds may include, but are not limited to, peptides such as, for example, soluble peptides, including but not limited to, Ig-tailed fusion peptides, and members of random peptide libraries; (see, e.g., Lam, K. S. et al., 1991, Nature 354:82-84; Houghten, R. et al., 1991, Nature 354:84-86), and combinatorial chemistry-derived molecular library made of D- and/or L-configuration amino acids, phosphopeptides (including, but not limited to members of random or partially degenerate, directed phosphopeptide libraries; see, e.g., Songyang, Z. et al., 1993, Cell 72:767-778), antibodies (including, but not limited to, polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, anti-idiotypic, chimeric or single hain antibodies, and FAb, F(ab′)₂ and FAb expression library ragments, and epitope-binding fragments thereof), and small rganic or inorganic molecules.

Other compounds which can be screened in accordance with the invention include but are not limited to small organic olecules that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, gain entry into an appropriate cell (e.g., in the choroid lexus) and affect the expression of the obR gene or some other gene involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway (e.g., by interacting with the regulatory region or transcription factors involved in gene expression); or such compounds that affect the activity of the ObR (e.g., by inhibiting or enhancing the enzymatic activity of the CD) or the activity of some other intracellular factor involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway, such as, for example, gp130.

Computer modelling technology allows visualization of the three-dimensional atomic structure of a selected molecule and the rational design of new compounds that will interact with the molecule. The three-dimensional construct typically depends on data from x-ray crystallographic analyses or NMR imaging of the selected molecule. The molecular dynamics require force field data. The computer graphics systems enable prediction of how a new compound will link to the target molecule and allow experimental manipulation of the structures of the compound and target molecule to perfect binding specificity. Prediction of what the molecule-compound interaction will be when small changes are made in one or both requires molecular mechanics software and computationally intensive computers, usually coupled with user-friendly, menu-driven interfaces between the molecular design program and the user.

Examples of molecular modelling systems are the CHARm and QUANTA programs, Polygen Corporation, Waltham, MA. CHARm performs the energy minimization and molecular dynamics functions. QUANTA performs the construction, graphic modelling and analysis of molecular structure. QUANTA allows interactive construction, modification, visualization, and analysis of the behavior of molecules with each other.

A number of articles review computer modelling of drugs interactive with specific proteins, such as Rotivinen, et al., 1988, Acta Pharmaceutica Fennica 97:159-166; Ripka, New Scientist 54-57 (Jun. 16, 1988); McKinaly and Rossmann, 1989, Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxiciol. 29:111-122; Perry and Davies, OSAR: Ouantitative Structure-Activity Relationships in Drug Design pp. 189-193 (Alan R. Liss, Inc. 1989); Lewis and Dean, 1989 Proc. R. Soc. Lond. 236:125-140 and 141-162; and, with respect to a model receptor for nucleic acid components, Askew, et al., 1989, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111:1082-1090. Other computer programs that screen and graphically depict chemicals are available from companies such as BioDesign, Inc., Pasadena, Calif., Allelix, Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and Hypercube, Inc., Cambridge, Ontario. Although these are primarily designed for application to drugs specific to particular proteins, they can be adapted to design of drugs specific to regions of DNA or RNA, once that region is identified.

Although described above with reference to design and generation of compounds which could alter binding, one could also screen libraries of known compounds, including natural products or synthetic chemicals, and biologically active materials, including proteins, for compounds which are inhibitors or activators.

Compounds identified via assays such as those described herein may be useful, for example, in elaborating the biological function of the obR gene product, and for ameliorating body weight disorders. Assays for testing the effectiveness of compounds, identified by, for example, techniques such as those described in Section 5.5.1 through 5.5.3, are discussed, below, in Section 5.5.4.

5.5.1. IN VITRO SCREENING ASSAYS FOR COMPOUNDS THAT BIND TO ObR

In vitro systems may be designed to identify compounds capable of binding ObR. Compounds identified may be useful, for example, in modulating the activity of wild type and/or mutant obR gene products, may be useful in elaborating the biological function of the ObR, may be utilized in screens for identifying compounds that disrupt normal ObR interactions, or may in themselves disrupt such interactions.

The principle of the assays used to identify compounds that bind to the ObR involves preparing a reaction mixture of the ObR and the test compound under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the two components to interact and bind, thus forming a complex which can be removed and/or detected in the reaction mixture. The ObR species used can vary depending upon the goal of the screening assay. For example, where agonists of the natural ligand are sought, the full length ObR, or a soluble truncated ObR, e.g., in which the TM and/or CD is deleted from the molecule, a peptide corresponding to the ECD or a fusion protein containing the ObR ECD fused to a protein or polypeptide that affords advantages in the assay system (e.g., labeling, isolation of the resulting complex, etc.) can be utilized. Where compounds that interact with the cytoplasmic domain are sought to be identified, peptides corresponding to the ObR CD and fusion proteins containing the ObR CD can be used.

The screening assays can be conducted in a variety of ways. For example, one method to conduct such an assay would involve anchoring the ObR protein, polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein or the test substance onto a solid phase and detecting ObR/test compound complexes anchored on the solid phase at the end of the reaction. In one embodiment of such a method, the ObR reactant may be anchored onto a solid surface, and the test compound, which is not anchored, may be labeled, either directly or indirectly.

In practice, microtiter plates may conveniently be utilized as the solid phase. The anchored component may be immobilized by non-covalent or covalent attachments. Non-covalent attachment may be accomplished by simply coating the solid surface with a solution of the protein and drying. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody, preferably a monoclonal antibody, specific for the protein to be immobilized may be used to anchor the protein to the solid surface. The surfaces may be prepared in advance and stored.

In order to conduct the assay, the nonimmobilized component is added to the coated surface containing the anchored component. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) under conditions such that any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. The detection of complexes anchored on the solid surface can be accomplished in a number of ways. Where the previously nonimmobilized component is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the previously nonimmobilized component is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; e.g., using a labeled antibody specific for the previously nonimmobilized component (the antibody, in turn, may be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with a labeled anti-Ig antibody).

Alternatively, a reaction can be conducted in a liquid phase, the reaction products separated from unreacted components, and complexes detected; e.g., using an immobilized antibody specific for ObR protein, polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein or the test compound to anchor any complexes formed in solution, and a labeled antibody specific for the other component of the possible complex to detect anchored complexes.

5.5.2. ASSAYS FOR INTRACELLULAR PROTEINS THAT INTERACT WITH THE ObR

Any method suitable for detecting protein-protein interactions may be employed for identifying ObR-transmembrane or ObR-intracellular protein interactions. Among the traditional methods which may be employed are co-immunoprecipitation, crosslinking and co-purification through gradients or chromatographic columns of cell lysates or proteins obtained from cell lysates and the ObR to identify proteins in the lysate that interact with the ObR. For these assays, the ObR component used can be a full length ObR, a soluble derivative lacking the membrane-anchoring region (e.g., a truncated ObR in which the TM is deleted resulting in a truncated molecule containing the ECD fused to the CD), a peptide corresponding to the CD or a fusion protein containing the CD of ObR. Once isolated, such an intracellular protein can be identified and can, in turn, be used, in conjunction with standard techniques, to identify proteins it interacts with. For example, at least a portion of the amino acid sequence of the intracellular protein which interacts with the ObR can be ascertained using techniques well known to those of skill in the art, such as via the Edman degradation technique (see, e.g., Creighton, 1983, “Proteins: Structures and Molecular Principles”, W. H. Freeman & Co., N.Y., pp.34-49). The amino acid sequence obtained may be used as a guide for the generation of oligonucleotide mixtures that can be used to screen for gene sequences encoding such intracellular proteins. Screening made be accomplished, for example, by standard hybridization or PCR techniques. Techniques for the generation of oligonucleotide mixtures and the screening are well-known. (See, e.g., Ausubel, supra., and PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications, 1990, Innis, M. et al., eds. Academic Press, Inc., New York).

Additionally, methods may be employed which result in the simultaneous identification of genes which encode the transmembrane or intracellular proteins interacting with ObR. These methods include, for example, probing expression libraries with labeled ObR protein, using ObR polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein in a manner similar to the well known technique of antibody probing of Xgtll libraries.

One method which detects protein interactions in vivo, the two-hybrid system, is described in detail for illustration only and not by way of limitation. One version of this system has been described (Chien et al., 1991, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 88:9578-9582) and is commercially available from Clontech (Palo Alto, Calif.).

Briefly, utilizing such a system, plasmids are constructed that encode two hybrid proteins: one consists of the DNA-binding domain of a transcription activator protein fused to the obR nucleotide sequence encoding ObR, an ObR polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein, and the other consists of the transcription activator protein's activation domain fused to an unknown protein that is encoded by a cDNA which has been recombined into this plasmid as part of a cDNA library. The DNA-binding domain fusion plasmid and the cDNA library are transformed into a strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that contains a reporter gene (e.g., HBS or lacZ) whose regulatory region contains the transcription activator's binding site. Either hybrid protein alone cannot activate transcription of the reporter gene: the DNA-binding domain hybrid cannot because it does not provide activation function and the activation domain hybrid cannot because it cannot localize to the activator's binding sites. Interaction of the two hybrid proteins reconstitutes the functional activator protein and results in expression of the reporter gene, which is detected by an assay for the reporter gene product.

The two-hybrid system or related methodology may be used to screen activation domain libraries for proteins that interact with the “bait” gene product. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, ObR may be used as the bait gene product. Total genomic or cDNA sequences are fused to the DNA encoding an activation domain. This library and a plasmid encoding a hybrid of a bait obR gene product fused to the DNA-binding domain are cotransformed into a yeast reporter strain, and the resulting transformants are screened for those that express the reporter gene. For example, and not by way of limitation, a bait obR gene sequence, such as the open reading frame of the obR gene, as depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D can be cloned into a vector such that it is translationally fused to the DNA encoding the DNA-binding domain of the GAL4 protein. These colonies are purified and the library plasmids responsible for reporter gene expression are isolated. DNA sequencing is then used to identify the proteins encoded by the library plasmids. not by way of limitation, a bait obR gene sequence, such as the open reading frame of the obR gene, as depicted in FIG. 1 can be cloned into a vector such that it is translationally fused to the DNA encoding the DNA-binding domain of the GAL4 protein. These colonies are purified and the library plasmids responsible for reporter gene expression are isolated. DNA sequencing is then used to identify the proteins encoded by the library plasmids.

A cDNA library of the cell line from which proteins that interact with bait obR gene product are to be detected can be made using methods routinely practiced in the art. According to the particular system described herein, for example, the cDNA fragments can be inserted into a vector such that they are translationally fused to the transcriptional activation domain of GAL4. This library can be co-transformed along with the bait obR gene-GAL4 fusion plasmid into a yeast strain which contains a lacZ gene driven by a promoter which contains GAL4 activation sequence. A cDNA encoded protein, fused to GAL4 transcriptional activation domain, that interacts with bait obR gene product will reconstitute an active GAL4 protein and thereby drive expression of the HIS3 gene. Colonies which express HIS3 can be detected by their growth on petri dishes containing semi-solid agar based media lacking histidine. The cDNA can then be purified from these strains, and used to produce and isolate the bait obR gene-interacting protein using techniques routinely practiced in the art.

5.5.3. ASSAYS FOR COMPOUNDS THAT INTERFERE WITH ObR/INTRACELLULAR OR ObR/TRANSMEMBRANE MACROMOLECULE INTERACTION

The macromolecules that interact with the ObR are referred to, for purposes of this discussion, as “binding partners”. These binding partners are likely to be involved in the ObR signal transduction pathway, and therefore, in the role of ObR in body weight regulation. Therefore, it is desirable to identify compounds that interfere with or disrupt the interaction of such binding partners with Ob which may be useful in regulating the activity of the ObR and control body weight disorders associated with ObR activity.

The basic principle of the assay systems used to identify compounds that interfere with the interaction between the ObR and its binding partner or partners involves preparing a reaction mixture containing ObR protein, polypeptide, peptide or fusion protein as described in Sections 5.5.1 and 5.5.2 above, and the binding partner under conditions and for a time sufficient to allow the two to interact and bind, thus forming a complex. In order to test a compound for inhibitory activity, the reaction mixture is prepared in the presence and absence of the test compound. The test compound may be initially included in the reaction mixture, or may be added at a time subsequent to the addition of the ObR moiety and its binding partner. Control reaction mixtures are incubated without the test compound or with a placebo. The formation of any complexes between the ObR moiety and the binding partner is then detected. The formation of a complex in the control reaction, but not in the reaction mixture containing the test compound, indicates that the compound interferes with the interaction of the ObR and the interactive binding partner. Additionally, complex formation within reaction mixtures containing the test compound and normal ObR protein may also be compared to complex formation within reaction mixtures containing the test compound and a mutant ObR. This comparison may be important in those cases wherein it is desirable to identify compounds that disrupt interactions of mutant but not normal ObRs.

The assay for compounds that interfere with the interaction of the ObR and binding partners can be conducted in a heterogeneous or homogeneous format. Heterogeneous assays involve anchoring either the ObR moiety product or the binding partner onto a solid phase and detecting complexes anchored on the solid phase at the end of the reaction. In homogeneous assays, the entire reaction is carried out in a liquid phase. In either approach, the order of addition of reactants can be varied to obtain different information about the compounds being tested. For example, test compounds that interfere with the interaction by competition can be identified by conducting the reaction in the presence of the test substance; i.e., by adding the test substance to the reaction mixture prior to or simultaneously with the ObR moiety and interactive binding partner. Alternatively, test compounds that disrupt preformed complexes, e.g. compounds with higher binding constants that displace one of the components from the complex, can be tested by adding the test compound to the reaction mixture after complexes have been formed. The various formats are described briefly below.

In a heterogeneous assay system, either the ObR moiety or the interactive binding partner, is anchored onto a solid surface, while the non-anchored species is labeled, either directly or indirectly. In practice, microtiter plates are conveniently utilized. The anchored species may be immobilized by non-covalent or covalent attachments. Non-covalent attachment may be accomplished simply by coating the solid surface with a solution of the obR gene product or binding partner and drying. Alternatively, an immobilized antibody specific for the species to be anchored may be used to anchor the species to the solid surface. The surfaces may be prepared in advance and stored.

In order to conduct the assay, the partner of the immobilized species is exposed to the coated surface with or without the test compound. After the reaction is complete, unreacted components are removed (e.g., by washing) and any complexes formed will remain immobilized on the solid surface. The detection of complexes anchored on the solid surface can be accomplished in a number of ways. Where the non-immobilized species is pre-labeled, the detection of label immobilized on the surface indicates that complexes were formed. Where the non-immobilized species is not pre-labeled, an indirect label can be used to detect complexes anchored on the surface; e.g., using a labeled antibody specific for the initially non-immobilized species (the antibody, in turn, may be directly labeled or indirectly labeled with a labeled anti-Ig antibody). Depending upon the order of addition of reaction components, test compounds which inhibit complex formation or which disrupt preformed complexes can be detected.

Alternatively, the reaction can be conducted in a liquid phase in the presence or absence of the test compound, the reaction products separated from unreacted components, and complexes detected; e.g., using an immobilized antibody specific for one of the binding components to anchor any complexes formed in solution, and a labeled antibody specific for the other partner to detect anchored complexes. Again, depending upon the order of addition of reactants to the liquid phase, test compounds which inhibit complex or which disrupt preformed complexes can be identified.

In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a homogeneous assay can be used. In this approach, a preformed complex of the ObR moiety and the interactive binding partner is prepared in which either the ObR or its binding partners is labeled, but the signal generated by the label is quenched due to formation of the complex (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,496 by Rubenstein which utilizes this approach for immunoassays). The addition of a test substance that competes with and displaces one of the species from the preformed complex will result in the generation of a signal above background. In this way, test substances which disrupt ObR/intracellular binding partner interaction can be identified.

In a particular embodiment, an ObR fusion can be prepared for immobilization. For example, the ObR or a peptide fragment, e.g., corresponding to the CD, can be fused to a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) gene using a fusion vector, such as pGEX-5X-1, in such a manner that its binding activity is maintained in the resulting fusion protein. The interactive binding partner can be purified and used to raise a monoclonal antibody, using methods routinely practiced in the art and described above, in Section 5.3. This antibody can be labeled with the radioactive isotope ¹²⁵I, for example, by methods routinely practiced in the art. In a heterogeneous assay, e.g., the GST-ObR fusion protein can be anchored to glutathione-agarose beads. The interactive binding partner can then be added in the presence or absence of the test compound in a manner that allows interaction and binding to occur. At the end of the reaction period, unbound material can be washed away, and the labeled monoclonal antibody can be added to the system and allowed to bind to the complexed components. The interaction between the obR gene product and the interactive binding partner can be detected by measuring the amount of radioactivity that remains associated with the glutathione-agarose beads. A successful inhibition of the interaction by the test compound will result in a decrease in measured radioactivity.

Alternatively, the GST-ObR fusion protein and the interactive binding partner can be mixed together in liquid in the absence of the solid glutathione-agarose beads. The test compound can be added either during or after the species are allowed to interact. This mixture can then be added to the glutathione-agarose beads and unbound material is washed away. Again the extent of inhibition of the ObR/binding partner interaction can be detected by adding the labeled antibody and measuring the radioactivity associated with the beads.

In another embodiment of the invention, these same techniques can be employed using peptide fragments that correspond to the binding domains of the ObR and/or the interactive or binding partner (in cases where the binding partner is a protein), in place of one or both of the full length proteins. Any number of methods routinely practiced in the art can be used to identify and isolate the binding sites. These methods include, but are not limited to, mutagenesis of the gene encoding one of the proteins and screening for disruption of binding in a co-immunoprecipitation assay. Compensating mutations in the gene encoding the second species in the complex can then be selected. Sequence analysis of the genes encoding the respective proteins will reveal the mutations that correspond to the region of the protein involved in interactive binding. Alternatively, one protein can be anchored to a solid surface using methods described above, and allowed to interact with and bind to its labeled binding partner, which has been treated with a proteolytic enzyme, such as trypsin. After washing, a short, labeled peptide comprising the binding domain may remain associated with the solid material, which can be isolated and identified by amino acid sequencing. Also, once the gene coding for the intracellular binding partner is obtained, short gene segments can be engineered to express peptide fragments of the protein, which can then be tested for binding activity and purified or synthesized.

For example, and not by way of limitation, an obR gene product can be anchored to a solid material as described, above, by making a GST-ObR fusion protein and allowing it to bind to glutathione agarose beads. The interactive binding partner can be labeled with a radioactive isotope, such as ³⁵S , and cleaved with a proteolytic enzyme such as trypsin. Cleavage products can then be added to the anchored GST-obR fusion protein and allowed to bind. After washing away unbound peptides, labeled bound material, representing the intracellular binding partner binding domain, can be eluted, purified, and analyzed for amino acid sequence by well-known methods. Peptides so identified can be produced synthetically or fused to appropriate facilitative proteins using recombinant DNA technology.

5.5.4. ASSAYS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF COMPOUNDS THAT AMELIORATE BODY WEIGHT DISORDERS

Compounds, including but not limited to binding compounds identified via assay techniques such as those described, above, in Sections 5.5.1 through 5.5.3, can be tested for the ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms, including obesity. It should be noted that although the assays described herein can identify compounds which affect ObR activity (e.g., binding to its natural ligand and signal transduction), or obR gene activity by affecting obR gene expression. For example, compounds may be identified which are involved in another step in the ObR signal transduction pathway in which the obR gene and/or obR gene product is involved and, by affecting this same pathway may modulate the effect of ObR on the development of body weight disorders. Such compounds can be used as part of a therapeutic method for the treatment of body weight disorders.

Described below are cell-based and animal model-based assays for the identification of compounds exhibiting such an ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms.

First, cell-based systems can be used to identify compounds which may act to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms. Such cell systems can include, for example, recombinant or non-recombinant cell, such as cell lines, which express the obR gene. For example and choroid plexus cells, choroid plexus cell lines can be used. In addition, expression host cells genetically engineered to express a functional ObR and to respond to activation by the natural Ob ligand, e.g., as measured by a chemical or phenotypic change, induction of another host cell gene, etc., can be used.

In utilizing such cell systems, cells may be exposed to a compound suspected of exhibiting an ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms, at a sufficient concentration and for a time sufficient to elicit such an amelioration of body weight disorder symptoms in the exposed cells. After exposure, the cells can be assayed to measure alterations in the expression of the obR gene, e.g., by assaying cell lysates for obR mRNA transcripts (e.g., by Northern analysis) or for obR protein expressed in the cell; compounds which regulate or modulate expression of the obR gene are good candidates as therapeutics. Alternatively, the cells are examined to determine whether one or more body weight disorder-like cellular phenotypes has been altered to resemble a more normal or more wild type, non-body weight disorder phenotype, or a phenotype more likely to produce a lower incidence or severity of disorder symptoms. Still further, the expression and/or activity of components of the signal transduction pathway of which ObR is a part, or the activity of the ObR signal transduction pathway itself can be assayed.

In addition, animal-based body weight disorder systems, which may include, for example, ob, db and ob/db mice, may be used to identify compounds capable of ameliorating body weight disorder-like symptoms. Such animal models may be used as test substrates for the identification of drugs, pharmaceuticals, therapies and interventions which may be effective in treating such disorders. For example, animal models may be exposed to a compound, suspected of exhibiting an ability to ameliorate body weight disorder symptoms, at a sufficient concentration and for a time sufficient to elicit such an amelioration of body weight disorder symptoms in the exposed animals. The response of the animals to the exposure may be monitored by assessing the reversal of disorders associated with body weight disorders such as obesity. With regard to intervention, any treatments which reverse any aspect of body weight disorder-like symptoms should be considered as candidates for human body weight disorder therapeutic intervention. Dosages of test agents may be determined by deriving dose-response curves, as discussed in Section 5.7.1, below.

5.6. THE TREATMENT OF BODY WEIGHT, INCLUDING BODY WEIGHT DISORDERS

The invention encompasses methods and compositions for modifying body weight including treating body weight disorders, including obesity, cachexia and anorexia. Because a loss of normal obR gene product function results in the development of an obese phenotype, an increase in obR gene product activity would facilitate progress towards a normal body weight state in individuals exhibiting a deficient level of obR gene expression and/or obR activity.

Alternatively, symptoms of certain body weight disorders such as, for example, cachexia, which involve a lower than normal body weight phenotype, may be ameliorated by decreasing the level of obR gene expression and/or ObR gene activity. For example, ObR peptides corresponding to the ECD (e.g., having the amino acid sequence shown in FIGS. 1A-1D from amino acid residue number 24 to 837 or the amino acid sequence shown in FIGS. 3A-3F from amino acid residue number 21 to 839) can be administered in vivo in order to bind to an “neutralize” circulating Ob, the natural ligand for the ObR. Neutralization of Ob should lead to a decrease in ObR activation, and weight gain.

Alternatively, gene therapy approaches can be employed to reduce the level of endogenous obR gene expression, or ObR activity. For example, the obR nucleotide sequences described in Section 5.1 may be utilized in conjunction with well-known antisense, gene “knock-out,” ribozyme and/or triple helix methods to decrease the level of obR gene expression. Alternatively, constructs which encode defective ObRs can be used in gene therapy approaches to diminish the activity of the ObR in appropriate target cells; e.g., nucleotide sequences that direct host cell expression of ObRs in which the CD is deleted or mutated can be used to engineer cells in the choroid plexus to express non-functional receptors (i.e., an anchored receptor that is capable of binding its natural ligand, but incapable of signal transduction). Such engineered cells present in the choroid plexus should demonstrate a diminished response to the endogenous Ob ligand, resulting in weight gain. Such methods can also be useful for agricultural applications in which a more favorable fat:level body mass ratio (i.e., a decreased ratio) is desired.

With respect to an increase in the level of normal obR gene expression and/or ObR gene product activity, obR nucleic acid sequences, described, above, in Section 5.1, can, for example, be utilized for the treatment of body weight disorders, including obesity. Such treatment can be administered, for example, in the form of gene replacement therapy. Specifically, one or more copies of a normal obR gene or a portion of the obR gene that directs the production of an obR gene product exhibiting normal function, may be inserted into the appropriate cells within a patient, using vectors which include, but are not limited to adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, retrovirus and herpes virus vectors, in addition to other particles that introduce DNA into cells, such as liposomes.

Likewise, such gene replacement methods can be used to decrease obR expression by utilizing gene or regulatory sequence replacement constructs which disrupt the obR regulatory sequence or coding sequence such that expression of functional transcripts is diminished or inhibited. Further, such techniques can be used to replace the endogenuous obR regulatory sequences with regulatory sequences which direct the expression of a lower level of functional obR transcripts.

Because the obR gene is expressed in the brain, including the choroid plexus, such gene replacement therapy techniques should be capable delivering obR gene sequences to these cell types within patients. Thus, the techniques for delivery of the obR gene sequences should be able to readily cross the blood-brain barrier, which are well known to those of skill in the art (see, e.g., PCT application, publication No. WO89/10134, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), or, alternatively, should involve direct administration of such obR gene sequences to the site of the cells in which the obR gene sequences are to be expressed. With respect to delivery which is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, viral vectors such as, for example, those described above, are preferable.

Additional methods which may be utilized to increase the overall level of obR gene expression and/or ObR activity include the introduction of appropriate ObR-expressing cells, preferably autologous cells, into a patient at positions and in numbers which are sufficient to ameliorate the symptoms of body weight disorders, including obesity. Such cells may be either recombinant or non-recombinant.

Among the cells which can be administered to increase the overall level of obR gene expression in a patient are normal cells, preferably choroid plexus cells, which express the obR gene.

Alternatively, cells, preferably autologous cells, can be engineered to express obR nucleotide sequences, including soluble ObR ECD molecules, which may then be introduced into a patient in positions appropriate for the amelioration of body weight disorder symptoms. Alternately, cells which express the obR gene in a wild type in MHC matched individuals, e.g., choroid plexus cells of an MHC matched individual may be used. The expression of the obR gene sequences is controlled by appropriate regulatory sequences to allow such expression in the necessary cell types. Such gene regulatory sequences are well known to the skilled artisan. Such cell-based gene therapy techniques are well known to those skilled in the art, see, e.g., Anderson, F., U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,349.

When the cells to be administered are non-autologous cells, they can be administered using well known techniques which prevent a host immune response against the introduced cells from developing. For example, the cells may be introduced in an encapsulated form which, while allowing for an exchange of components with the immediate extracellular environment, does not allow the introduced cells to be recognized by the host immune system.

Additionally, compounds, such as those identified via techniques such as those described, above, in Section 5.5.4, which are capable of modulating ObR gene product activity can be administered using standard techniques which are well known to those of skill in the art. In instances in which the compounds to be administered are to involve an interaction with brain cell types such as, for example, choroid plexus cell types, the administration techniques should-include well known ones which allow for a crossing of the blood-brain barrier.

5.7. PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS AND METHODS OF ADMINISTRATION

The compounds that are determined to affect obR gene expression or ObR activity can be administered to a patient at therapeutically effective doses to treat or ameliorate weight disorders, including obesity. A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of the compound sufficient to result in amelioration of symptoms of body weight disorders.

5.7.1. EFFECTIVE DOSE

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD₅₀/ED₅₀. Compounds which exhibit large therapeutic indices are preferred. While compounds that exhibit toxic side effects may be used, care should be taken to design a delivery system that targets such compounds to the site of affected tissue in order to minimize potential damage to uninfected cells and, thereby, reduce side effects.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can be used in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage of such compounds lies preferably within a range of circulating concentrations that include the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary within this range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route of administration utilized. For any compound used in the method of the invention, the therapeutically effective dose can be estimated initially from cell culture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve a circulating plasma concentration range that includes the IC₅₀ (i.e., the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximal inhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levels in plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquid chromatography.

5.7.2. FORMULATIONS AND USE

Pharmaceutical compositions for use in accordance with the present invention may be formulated in conventional manner using one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients.

Thus, the compounds and their physiologically acceptable salts and solvates may be formulated for administration by inhalation or insufflation (either through the mouth or the nose) or oral, buccal, parenteral or rectal administration.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions may take the form of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g., pregelatinised maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystalline cellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodium starch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). The tablets may be coated by methods well known in the art. Liquid preparations for oral administration may take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (eg., sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol or fractionated vegetable oils); and

preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid). The preparations may also contain buffer salts, flavoring, coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

Preparations for oral administration may be suitably formulated to give controlled release of the active compound.

For buccal administration the compositions may take the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in conventional manner.

For administration by inhalation, the compounds for use according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurized aerosol the dosage unit may be determined by providing a valve to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of e.g. gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch.

The compounds may be formulated for parenteral administration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuous infusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampoules or in multidose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds may also be formulated in rectal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described previously, the compounds may also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

The compositions may, if desired, be presented in a pack or dispenser device which may contain one or more unit dosage forms containing the active ingredient. The pack may for example comprise metal or plastic foil, such as a blister pack. The pack or dispenser device may be accompanied by instructions for administration.

6. EXAMPLE IN SITU LOCALIZATION OF ObR

In the Example presented herein, it is demonstrated via binding studies with Ob (leptin)-alkaline phosphatase (AP) fusion proteins that high affinity Ob receptor is present in mammalian choroid plexus tissue. It is further demonstrated that the fusion protein binding observed was Ob-specific, and not due to a non-specific alkaline phosphatase-based artifact.

6.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Construction and Expression of Ob-Alkaline Phosphatase Fusion Proteins. Two types of fusion protein were generated. Specifically, Ob-AP fusion proteins were generated in which the AP portion was at the carboxy terminus of the fusion protein, and AP-Ob fusion proteins were generated in which the AP portion was at the amino terminus of the fusion protein.

To produce mouse and human Ob-AP and AP-Ob fusion constructs, cDNA sequences were amplified by standard polymerase chain reaction procedures. For mouse and human Ob-AP fusions, nucleotide sequences encoding the entire open reading frames of mouse and human Ob, respectively were amplified from the corresponding cDNAs. Restriction sites at the end of the amplification primers were cut with HindIII and BamHI (mouse) and inserted into the HindIII-BglII polylinker site of APtag-2, or BamHI and BglII (human) and inserted into the BglII site of APtag-2. For mouse and human AP-Ob fusion constructs, a new AP fusion vector expressing an AP molecule with its own signal peptide was first generated (APtag-3) by replacing sequences between the HindIII and XhoI sites of APtag-2 with PCR amplified sequences of secreted placental alkaline phosphatase (including signal sequence). A BglII site was placed so that fusions introduced into this site would be in-frame with the AP protein. The sequences of the predicted mature forms of mouse and human Ob were then PCR amplified from the corresponding cDNAs. Restriction sites at the end of the amplification primers were cut with BamHI and BglII and inserted into the BglII site of APtag-3.

Each plasmid was transiently transfected into COS-7 cells (11.25 μg/150 mm plate). Cells were grown to confluence and then media-conditioned for 3 days. Cells were then centrifuged, 0.45 μm filtered, and stored at 4° C. with 20 mM Hepes (pH 7.0) and 0.05% sodium azide. Conditioned media were tested and quantitated for AP activity in a 96-well plate reader as described by Flanagan and Leder (Flanagan, J. G. and Leder, P., 1990, Cell 63:185-194), except that homoarginine was omitted from all assays.

In Situ Fusion Protein Binding. Quartered mouse brains, isolated choroid plexus, cells and cell lines were rinsed once with HBHA (Hank's balanced salt solution with 0.5 mg/ml BSA, 0.1% NaN₃. 20 mM HEPES [pH 7.0]) in 12-well plates. Tissue was then incubated with tissue culture supernatants containing AP-Ob fusion, Ob-AP fusion, or control supernatants (i.e., supernatants containing unfused AP only, containing AP-OB or OB-AP fusion proteins plus 80-fold molar excess of E. coli-derived recombinant OB, or supernatants from mock-transfected COS cells), for 75 minutes with gentle rotation at room temperature. Samples were then treated as described previously (Cheng, H. J. and Flanagan, J. G., 1994, Cell 79:157-168).

6.2. RESULTS

To search for the Ob receptor, Ob-alkaline phosphatase fusion proteins were constructed which would allow colorimetric detection of Ob binding. Specifically, cDNA molecules encoding the mouse and human Ob proteins were inserted into the expression vectors APtag-2 and APtag-3, as described, above in Section 6.1. Insertion into the expression vector APtag-2 resulted in a fusion protein with Ob at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and placental alkaline phosphatase (AP) at the C-terminus. The resulting fusion protein is referred to as Ob-AP. Insertion into the vector APtag-3 resulted in fusion proteins with AP at the N-terminus fused to the predicted mature form of the Ob protein at the C-terminus. The resulting fusion protein is referred to as AP-Ob. Both forms of murine fusion proteins were secreted and produced at the predicted molecular weight of approximately 81 kDa.

Several strategies were employed in an effort to identify cells or tissues expressing the Ob receptor. Each of the cells, cell lines and tissues tested as described herein were ones at least potentially involved in body weight regulation. The first was to attempt direct binding assays with the Ob-AP and AP-Ob fusion proteins. Cell lines examined by this strategy included the placental cell lines L6 (ATCC No. CRL1458) and BC3H (ATCC No. CRL1443), the neural cell lines PC12 (ATCC No. CRL1721) and NB41A3 (ATCC No. CCL147), the preadipose cell line 3T3-L1 (ATCC No. CRL173) and the liver cell line Hepal-6 (ATCC No. CRL1830). Also tested by this method were primary cultures from hypothalamus and primary cultures from cerebellum. None of these studies yielded positive binding results.

Second, attempts were made to identify cell lines expressing Ob receptor by examining changes in gene expression in response to the presence of recombinant Ob protein. The rationale here was that changes in gene expression, whether obR gene expression or the expression of genes further downstream in the Ob/ObR-related signal transduction pathway, would identify cells in which ObR was present.

This analysis was done by standard differential display analysis (U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,311) of RNA derived from Ob-treated or untreated cells. Briefly, RNA was isolated from cells which either had or had not been been exposed to Ob, and was amplified via RT-PCR in a manner which allowed a direct quantitative comparison of the levels of individual transcripts present in the RNA derived from the Ob-treated relative to the Ob-untreated cell lines. Ob Cell lines tested by this approach were INS-1, 3T3-L1, Hepa1-6, L6, PC12, NB41A3 and BC3H. In addition, primary hypothalamic cultures were also tested. None of the cells tested exhibited a detectable quantitative difference in expression pattern based on whether the cells had or had not been treated with Ob.

Third, attempts to identify cells expressing Ob receptor were made by treating cells with recombinant Ob protein and assaying for signs of signal transduction pathway activation. Specifically, cAMP changes were monitored via ³H uptake, and tyrosine phosphorylation changes were assayed via Western blots treated with anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Over twenty cell lines were examined in this manner. Specifically, these cell lines included the mouse cell lines Y1 (adrenal cortex; ATCC No. CCL79), BC3H (smooth musclebrain tumor; ATCC No. CRL1443), P19 (embryonal carcinoma; ATCC No. CRL1825), 3T3L1 (preadiposite; ATCC No. CRL173), Hepal-6 (hepatoma; ATCC No. CRL1830), C2C12 (myoblast; ATCC No. CRL1772), NMUMG (mammary gland, normal epithelial; ATCC No. CRL1636), MM5MT (mammary gland; ATCC No. CRL1637), NB41A3 (neuroblastoma; ATCC No. CCL147), AtT20 (pituitary; ATCC No.

CCL89), N MU LI (liver; ATCC No. CRL 1638), BNL CL2 (liver;

ATCC No. TIB73), and NCTC-1469 (liver; ATCC No. CCL91); rat cell lines, including L6 (myoblast; ATCC No. CRL1458), PC12 (adrenal chromaffin; ATCC No. CRL1721), and H-4-II-E (hepatoma; ATCC No. CRL1548); and human cell lines, including SW872 (liposarcoma; ATCC No. HTB92), Hepa G2 (liver; ATCC No. HB8065), and neuroblastoma cell lines, including SK-N-SH (ATCC No. HTB11). Here again, no Ob-dependent differences were observed in any of the cells tested.

After an extensive search of mammalian cell lines and tissues, adult mouse brains were quartered, treated with AP-Ob fusion protein, washed, and tested for bound AP activity of the fusion protein using histological techniques, as described, above, in Section 6.1. Reproducible binding of the AP-Ob fusion protein was observed in the rodent brain choroid plexus. No AP-Ob staining was observed, however, in the brain tissues surrounding the choroid plexus. The choroid plexus is a tissue largely responsible for the generation of the cerebral spinal fluid. Further, choroid plexus tissue is considered to be one of the “guardians” of the blood-brain barrier.

Control AP staining was performed on tissues treated with unfused AP and on tissues which had been treated with AP-Ob in the presence of an excess of unfused Ob added to compete for the binding of the fusion protein. No AP staining was observed in either of these controls, demonstrating that the AP-OB binding observed was Ob-specific, and not due to an AP-based artifact.

In summary, therefore, only after employing several strategies, was a cell surface molecule which binds Ob located; and this cell surface molecule was found within a specific region of the brain, the choroid plexus.

7. EXAMPLE CLONING OF THE MURINE ObR GENE

Described, below, in Section 7.2.1, is the successful cloning of an Ob receptor cDNA, famj5312, from expression libraries constructed using murine choroid plexus RNA. The expression libraries were screened using AP-Ob fusion protein binding, as described, above, in the Example presented in Section 6. Section 7.2.2, below, describes the nucleotide sequence of the Ob receptor coding region and, further, describes the amino acid sequence of the Ob receptor protein. Section 7.2.3, below, describes competitive binding studies demonstrating that the protein encoded by isolated cDNA encodes a receptor exhibiting high affinity binding for both mouse and human Ob protein. Section 7.2.4 describes studies which verify the authenticity of the isolated obR cDNA clone.

The high affinity Ob binding exhibited by the ObR, coupled with its homology to the Class I family of cytokine receptors, as described, below, indicates that the ObR is involved in the control of mammalian body weight, via signal transduction triggered by its binding to Ob ligand.

7.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS

Choroid Plexus mRNA Isolation. Total RNA was isolated from 300 mouse choroid plexuses in batches of 100, using the guanidinium isothiocyanate/CsCl method of Chirgwin et al. (1979, Biochemistry 18:5294) as described by R. Selden in Current Protocols for Molecular Biology (4.2.3 Supplement 14). After quantitation, the RNA was diluted to 1 mg/ml in distilled, deionized water and incubated for 30 min at 37° C. with an equal volume of DNase solution (20 mM MgCl₂, 2 mM DTT, 0.1 units DNase, 0.6 units RNase inhibitor in TE) to remove contaminating DNA. The RNA was extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl, and ethanol precipitated. After quantitation at 260 nm, an aliquot was electrophoresed to check the integrity. A total of 320 μg of total RNA was purified.

Poly A+ RNA was isolated using an Oligotex-dT kit (catalog #70042) from Qiagen (Chatsworth, Calif.) as described by the manufacturer. After quantitation, the mRNA was ethanol precipitated and resuspended at 1 mg/ml in distilled, deionized, DEPC-treated water. A total of 11 μg of poly A+ RNA was purified.

Library Construction. cDNA was synthesized according to the method of Gubler and Hoffman (Gene, 1983, 25:263) using a Superscript Plasmid cDNA synthesis kit (Catalog # Series 8248) purchased from Life Technologies (Gaithersburg, Md.). The cDNA obtained was ligated into the NotI/Sal I sites of the mammalian expression vector pMET7, a modified version of pME18S, which utilizes the SRα promoter as described previously (Takebe, Y. et al., 1988, Mol. Cel. Bio. 8:466). Ligated cDNA was ethanol precipitated and resuspended in distilled, deionized, DEPC-treated water at 25 ng/ml. One μl of the DNA was transformed by electroporation per 40 μl of electrocompetent DHIOB E. coli in a 0.1 cm cuvette.

cDNA was synthesized twice and used to construct two independent mouse choroid plexus libraries: mCP (mouse choroid plexus) A and mCP D.

DNA Preparation. Based on titers of the cDNA transformations, 96-deepwell plates were inoculated with 150 cfu/well in 1 ml of LB-amp. Cultures were grown 15-16 hours at 37° C. with aeration. Prior to prepping, 100 μl of cell suspension was removed and added to 100 μl of 50% glycerol, mixed and stored at −80° C. (glycerol freeze plate).

DNA was prepared using the Wizard™ Minipreps DNA Purification Systems (Promega, Madison, Wis.; Catalog No. A7100) employing modifications for a 96-well format. The protocol was as follows:

1) Cultures were centrifuged in 96-deepwell plate at 3200 rpm for 10 minutes at 4° C. Supernatants were removed.

2) 140 μl each of cell resuspension solution (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 10 mM EDTA, 100 μg/ml RNase A), cell lysis solution (0.2 M NaOH; 1.0% SDS) and neutralization solution (1.32 M Potassium acetate, pH 4.8) were added, in order, with vortexing 14 seconds after addition of each reagent, to ensure good mixing.

3) Plates were placed in ice water for 15 min.

4) Samples were centrifuged at 3200 rpm for 10 minutes at 4° C.

5) Supernatants were transferred to 96-well Polyfiltronics polypropylene filterplate (10 micron, 0.8 ml).

6) 500 μl WP resin were added and incubated 3-5 min at RT; suction was applied to plate.

7) Samples were washed three times with 640 μl wash solution.

8) Samples were centrifuged at 3200 rpm for 5 minutes at RT, to remove residual buffer.

9) Samples were eluted 2-5 minutes with 40 μl room temperature water.

10) Eluted DNA was centrifuged through to microwell plate at 3200 rpm for 5 minutes at room temperature.

11) DNA was quantitated.

Pooling Strategy. DNAs totalling 5 μg were pooled equally from eight wells, one column, to give a total of 1200 cfu. Thus, each 96-well plate gave rise to 12 pooled DNAs for transfection into COS-7 cells.

When a positive pool was identified, DNA was prepared from each of the eight wells constituting the pool and retransfected into COS-7 cells. When a positive well identified, the well was broken down by plating out an aliquot of the glycerol freeze of that well such that several thousand individual colonies were obtained. For each positive well between 400 and 800 colonies were picked and arrayed in a 96-well format, DNA was obtained, as described above, and the DNA from 24 wells was pooled for transfection. DNA representing each individual clone from a positive row was isolated and transfected for final identification.

Ouantititative Ob cell surface binding analysis. Quantitative cell surface binding assays with AP-Ob fusions proteins were performed essentially as described previously for Kit-AP (Flanagan, J. G. and Leder, P., 1990, Cell 63:185-194.

Ob Protein. The recombinant murine Ob protein used herein has been described previously (Campfield et al., 1995, Science 269:546-549). The recombinant human Ob protein used herein was purified from Baculovirus supernatants with a monoclonal antibody column containing monoclonal antibody directed again human Ob. The purified recombinant human Ob protein was judged by standard Coomasie blue staining to be greater than 95% pure.

DNA Sequencing. Sequencing and sequence assembly were performed as described previously (International Polycystic Kidney Consortium, 1995, Cell 81:289-298).

Northern Analysis. Northern blot analysis of poly A⁺ mRNA from various tissues (Clonetech) was probed, using standard techniques (Chingwin, J. M. et al. 1979, Biochemistry 18:5294-5299), with labeled DNA amplified from sequences encoding the murine ObR extracellular domain.

rt-PCR. Reverse transcription PCR (rt-PCR) reactions were performed on 1 μg total RNA utilizing standard techniques (Zhang, Y. et al., 1994, Nature 372:425-432). Specifically, first strand cDNA was prepared using random hexamers. The first strand cDNA was then PCR amplified using primers derived from sequences encoding the ObR extracellular domain or G3PDH control primers.

7.2. RESULTS 7.2.1. CLONING OF THE OB RECEPTOR FROM MOUSE CHOROID PLEXUS

The strong, Ob-specific binding of the AP-Ob fusion protein to the murine choroid plexus described, above, in the Example presented in Section 6, suggested that an Ob receptor could be expressed at high levels within this tissue. In order to attempt to clone a cDNA encoding the Ob receptor, therefore, the choroid plexuses from 300 mice were dissected, and a total of 11 μg poly A⁺ RNA was isolated from the tissue to be used to construct cDNA libraries as described, above, in Section 7.1.

Initially, 3 μg poly A⁺ were used to generate cDNA, to be used in constructing mouse choroid plexus cDNA library A. All of the cDNAs generated which were greater than 500 bp in size (261 ng) were pooled and 90 ng were ligated to pMET7. Transformation of this ligated cDNA into electrocompetent DH10B E. coli resulted in a library of approximately 7.2×10⁵ cfu, with an average size of 1 kb.

Recognizing that cDNA library A did not contain a sufficient number of clones containing inserts large enough to encode a receptor at a statistically reasonable frequency, a second 3 μg of poly A⁺ RNA was used to generate 758 ng of cDNA. 32 ng of cDNA representing the largest two fractions of cDNA were pooled and ligated into pMET7. Transformation of these ligated cDNA molecules resulted in mouse choroid plexus library D, with 2.4×10⁵ cfu and an average insert size of 2 kb.

DNA representing 6×10⁵ cfu (40 plates) was prepared and pooled from the mouse choroid plexus library A. DNA representing 2.4×10⁵ cfu (16 plates) was prepared from mouse choroid plexus library D.

For screening purposes, the libraries were produced as pools of 150 clones, with a mixture of 8 pools being used in each transfection (i.e., 1200 clones/transfection). Pooled DNA was transiently transfected into COS-7 cells, and the cells were screened by incubation with supernatants containing the murine AP-Ob fusion protein, washed, and stained for AP activity in situ, all as described, above, in Sections 6.1 and 6.2. Once a positive pool was identified, the 8 individual subpools were each tested separately, and the resulting positive subpool was further subdivided until a single positive clone was identified.

A total of 632 DNA pools derived from libraries A and D, with a total of 10 independent positive pools being identified. All of these positive pools were successfully broken down into subpools of 150 clones each, and one positive subpool was further subdivided until a single positive clone was identified. The clone, which contained a 5.1 kB cDNA insert, was designated famj5312.

The famj5312 obR cDNA clone isolated, as described above, in Section 7.2.2, contained an insert of approximately 5.1 kb. The nucleotide sequence obtained from this clone is depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D (SEQ ID NO:1). The nucleotide sequence of the clone revealed a single open reading frame, the ObR derived amino acid sequence of which is also depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D (SEQ ID NO:2).

The 894 residue deduced amino acid sequence of the ObR protein begins with a methionine whose codon within a DNA sequence consistent with a translation initiation site. The ObR amino acid sequence begins with a hydrophobic signal sequence from amino acid residues 1-23, typical of proteins which are to be either membrane-associated or secreted.

The Ob receptor protein contains a single hydrophobic transmembrane domain from amino acid residues 838-860, indicating that the Ob receptor spans the cell membrane once.

The position of the transmembrane domain indicates that the extracellular portion of the mature ObR protein spans from amino acid residue 24 to amino acid residue 837. A database search reveals that the extracellular domain of ObR contains regions of homology which place ObR into the Class I family of cytokine receptors (for reviews, see, e.g., Heldin, C.-H., 1995, Cell 80:213-223; and Kishimoto, T. and Tetsuya, T., 1994, Cell 76:253-252). ObR appears to be most closely related to the gp130 signal transducing component of the IL-6 receptor the GSF receptor and the LIF receptor. Alignment studies of ObR and gp130 amino acid sequences revealed that, although the overall sequence identity between the two proteins is low, the characteristic conserved cysteine residues, the Trp-Ser-X-Trp-Ser motif, and other amino acid residues conserved within the class I family of proteins is clearly evident.

Following the single transmembrane domain, the Obr protein contains a short cytoplasmic domain of 34 amino acids (i.e., amino acid residues 861-894). Homology comparisons also reveal that amino acids 1-23 of the ObR cytoplasmic domain show a 30% identity to membrane proximal sequences of the LIF receptor.

RT-PCR amplification of obR mRNA from total RNA confirmed the presence of obR transcript in choroid plexus, and also demonstrated its presence in hypothalamus. Further, Nothern blot analysis of poly A⁺ RNA derived from several mouse tissues revealed that obR mRNA is present in additional tissues, such as lung and kidney.

7.2.3. THE OB RECEPTOR STRONGLY BINDS OB PROTEIN

An analysis of the binding of AP-Ob to the ObR encoded by the obR cDNA described, above, in Section 7.2.2, was conducted. The results of this analysis, depicted in FIG. 2, demonstrate that the ObR exhibits strong, Ob-specific binding to both mouse and human Ob protein.

Specifically, after transient transfection of the obR cDNA into COS-7 cells, high affinity binding of murine AP-Ob and Ob-AP, as well as to both murine and human Ob was detected at 1 nM (relative to mock transfected COS cells or to obR-transfected COS cells incubated with unfused AP). Further, the strong binding was nearly completely inhibited by 100 nM untagged recombinant mouse or human Ob protein, demonstrating that the ObR binds native (i.e., non-fused) Ob.

7.2.4 AUTHENTICITY OF THE famj5312 CLONE

The authenticity of the isolated obR FAMJ5312 clone was tested in several ways. First, 8 independently isolated clones (in subpools of 150 clones each) were PCR amplified with primers made to obR sequences 3′ of the stop codon. Sequencing verfied that all 8 clones contained the same 3′ untranslated sequences. In addition, the regions of 5 independently isolated clones encoding the ObR C-terminus were sequenced and each were shown to utilize the same stop codon. Finally, reverse transcription PCR (rt-PCR) of choroid plexus total RNA isolated from a different mouse strain (C57/BLKsJ) than that from which the cDNA libraries were derived generated an identical PCR product containing a stop codon in the same location. These data indicated that the isolated famj5312 cDNA clone was neither a chimeric clone nor was it the result of a rare aberrant splicing event, but, rather, represents a clone which encodes the predominant form of the ObR receptor in the choroid plexus.

8. EXAMPLE THE obR GENE MAPS WITHIN THE db GENETIC INTERVAL

In the Example presented herein, studies are described which indicate that the obR gene maps to a 4.4 cM region on mouse chromosome 4 which represents the same region to which the db locus maps.

8.1. MATERIALS AND METHODS

PCR Amplification. The following famj5312-derived primers were used for amplification of mouse genomic DNA:

forward primer: 5′-GCTGCACTTAACCTGGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO:5)

reverse primer: 5′-GGATAACTCAGGAACG-3′ (SEQ ID NO:6).

The PCR reaction mixture contained 6 μl template DNA (10 ng/μ1), 1.4 μl 10× Perkin Elmer (Norwalk, Conn.) PCR buffer, 1.12 μl dNTPs (2.5 mM), 1.05 μl Forward primer (6.6 μM), 1.05 μl Reverse primer (6.6 μM), 0.38 μl H₂O and 3 μl AmpliTaq Hotstart™ polymerase (Perkin Elmer; 0.5U/μl).

The amplification profile was as follows: 94° C., 2 minutes, at which point the ampliTaq was added, then 30 cycles of 94° C., 40 seconds, 55° C., 50 seconds and 72° C., 30 seconds.

Electrophoresis. Samples were run on both nondenaturing 8% acrylamide gels run at 45 W, room temperature, for 3 hours and nondenaturing 10% acrylamide SSCP (single stranded conformational polymorphism) gels run at 20 W, 4° C., for 2.5 hours.

Both types of gels were stained with SYBR Green I and scanned on an MD Fluorimager, and gave interpretable results.

8.2. RESULTS 8.2.1. MAPPING OF THE famj5312 obR cDNA CLONE

PCR primers were designed from coding sequence of the famj5312 cDNA, as described, above, in Section 8.1. These primers amplified a fragment size of approximately 192 bp from mouse genomic DNA. The size of the amplified product was consistent with the base pair length between the two primers in the obR cDNA and, hence, was also consistent with amplification within an exon. This amplified fragment was used to map famj5312. Similar, but not identical, size products were amplified from the genomic DNA from both the murine inbred strain C57Bl/6J and the wild derived Mus spetus. As this length polymorphism between the C57Bl/6J and Mus spetus strains was observed, it allowed the mapping of the famj5312 on an interspecific backcross panel.

Interspecific backcross progeny were generated by mating (C575l/6J×Mus spetus) F₁ females×C57Bl/6J males. A total of 185 backcross progeny were analyzed by amplification of the famj5312 192 bp PCR product, described above, by following the genetic segregation of the fragment size difference of the C57Bl/6J and Mus sretus alleles. As the length difference of the product from C57Bl/6J compared to that of Mus spetus was small and difficulties in genotyping heterozygotes could lead to mis-mapping famj5312, the fragment length polymorphism was confirmed using Single Strand Conformational Polymorphism (SSCP). Each animal could be easily genotyped as being homozygous for the C57Bl/6J fragments or as heterozygous for both the C57Bl/6J and the Mus spetus fragments by one or both of these methods. Comparison of the distribution pattern for the genetic segregation of this fragment length polymorphism with all other loci (currently 226) mapped in this backcross panel allowed the genetic mapping of famj5312 to murine chromosome 4, approximately 2.2±1.6 cM distal to the marker D4Mit9 and 4.0±1.5 cM distal to the marker D4Mit46. The genetic map position of the famj5312 was further refined by placing more of the anonymous DNA markers on the map in this region of mouse chromosome 4. famj5312 maps 0.6±0.6 cM distal from D4Mit255.

8.2.2. DEFINITION OF THE MURINE db GENETIC REGION

The mouse db gene was originally mapped to mouse chromosome 4 (Hummel, K.-P. et al., 1966, Science 153:1127-1128). This genetic localization has been refined (Bahary, N. et al., 1990, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:8642-8646; Bahary, N. et al., 1993, Genomics 16:113-122) to place db within a genetic interval of 1.5 cM between the proximal Ornithine decarboxylase 4 (Odc4) locus and the anonymous distal markers D4Rck22 and D4Rck69. Bahary et al. 1993 also report D4Mit205 as being 1.1 cM proximal to Odc4. Hence, relative to D4Mit205, the db gene was mapped approximately 2.2 cM distal.

The db allele originally arose on the C57Bl/KsJ inbred strain. The db mutation has subsequently been transferred to other genetic backgrounds to form congenic strains. By typing animals of the congenic strain C57Bl/6J-m db it was possible to define the genetic interval within which the db gene had to reside on mouse chromosome 4. By this analysis, the interval that must contain the db gene was defined as the approximate 4.4 cM between the proximal anonymous DNA marker D4Mit255 and the distal markers D4Mit331 and D4Mit31. (Genetic distance as defined on the Mit map; Dietrich, W. F. et al., 1994, Nature Genetics 7:220-245; Copeland, N. G. et al., 1993, Science 262:67; Whitehead Institute/MIT Center for Genome Research, Genetic Map of the Mouse, Database Release 10, Apr. 28, 1995). It should be noted that the interval defined by Bahary et al. 1993, supra, appears to be a few centimorgans proximal of the region as defined herein.

By comparing the mapping data described for famj5312 described, above, in Section 8.2.1, with the db mapping data presented in this Section, the map position of famj5312, 0.6±0.6 cM distal from D4Mit255, is consistent with its mapping to the same region to which db maps.

9. EXAMPLE CLONING THE HUMAN ObR GENE

Described herein is the cloning and identification of the human obR.

The famj5312 cDNA insert was used to probe a human fetal brain cDNA library in the Uni-Zap XR vector obtained from Sratagene (La Jolla, Calif.).

The cDNA library was plated on 20 plates with approximately 50,000 pfu/plate. Duplicated filter lifts were done on each plate with Amersham Hybond-N nylon membrane filters. The filters were denatured, neutralized and cross-linked according to standard procedures. The probe was radioactively labelled by random priming in the presence of ³²p labelled nucleotide. The filters were hybridized with probe overnight at 65° C. in Church's buffer (7% SDS, 250 mM NaHPO4, 2 μM EDTA, 1% BSA). The next day, filters were washed in 2×SSC/0.1% SDS for 20 min at 65° C., then in 0.1×XSSC/0.1%SDS for 10 min. They were then exposed to Kodak film at −80° C. for 5 hours.

After matching up duplicated filters, 13 duplicated signals were obtained. Secondary plating was followed by plating out 10 μl of 1:1000 dilution of each primary plug. The same probe, hybridization and wash conditions were used as above. Film was exposed @−80° C. for 2 hours. Only 1 of the 13 original positives gave duplicated signals on the film.

Four independent plaques from the positive plate were processed and excised with ExAssist helper phage, XL1-Blue cells and SOLR cells as described by Stratagene. Excision products were then plated out on LB/Amp plates and incubated at 37° C. overnight. One white colony was picked up from each plate and grown in liquid LB/Amp at 37° C. overnight. The next day mini preps were done with the Promega Wizard Mini-prep kit. The sizes of the inserts were determined by digesting the mini-prep products with EcoRI and XhoI. One of the four clones (d) has an insert of approximately 6 kb.

DNA for sequencing was prepared using a Qiagen Plasmid Maxi kit.

FIGS. 3A-3F depicts the nucleotide sequence (SEQ. ID. No:3) of the human obR encoding the signal sequence (amino acid residues 1-20), extracellular domain (amino acid residues 21 to 839), transmembrane domain (amino acid residues 840 to 862) and cytoplasmic domain (amino acid residues 863 to 1133).

10. DEPOSIT OF MICROORGANISMS

The following microorganism was deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Rockville, Md., on Nov. 21, 1995 (famj5312) and Dec. 5, 1995 (fahj5312d) and were assigned the indicated accession number:

Microorganism Clone ATCC Access. No. E. coli strain famj5312 69952 5312B4F3 E. coli fahj5312d 69963 h-OBRD

The above-noted cultures have been deposited under conditions that assure that access to the cultures will be available during the pendency of the patent application to one determined by the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to be entitled thereto under 37 CFR 1.14 and 35 U.S.C. 122. The deposits are available as required by foreign patent laws in countries wherein counterparts of the subject application, or its progeny, are filed. However, it should be understood that the availability of a deposit does not constitute a license to practice the subject invention in derogation of patent rights granted by governmental action.

Further, the subject culture deposits will be stored and made available to the public in accord with the provisions of the Budapest Treaty for the Deposit of Microorganisms, i.e., they will be stored with all the care necessary to keep them viable and uncontaminated for a period of at least five years after the most recent request for the furnishing of a sample of the deposits, and in any case, for a period of at least 30 (thirty) years after the date of deposit or for the enforceable life of any patent which may issue disclosing the cultures plus five years after the last request for a sample from a deposit. The depositor acknowledges the duty to replace the deposits should the depository be unable to furnish a sample when requested, due to the condition of the deposits. All restrictions on the availability to the public of the subject culture deposits will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of a patent disclosing them.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended as single illustrations of individual aspects of the invention, and functionally equivalent methods and components are within the scope of the invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

6 3097 base pairs nucleic acid double unknown cDNA Coding Sequence 61...2742 1 GTCGACCCAC GCGTCCGGAG GAATCGTTCT GCAAATCCAG GTGTACACCT CTGAAGAAAG 60 ATG ATG TGT CAG AAA TTC TAT GTG GTT TTG TTA CAC TGG GAA TTT CTT 108 Met Met Cys Gln Lys Phe Tyr Val Val Leu Leu His Trp Glu Phe Leu 1 5 10 15 TAT GTG ATA GCT GCA CTT AAC CTG GCA TAT CCA ATC TCT CCC TGG AAA 156 Tyr Val Ile Ala Ala Leu Asn Leu Ala Tyr Pro Ile Ser Pro Trp Lys 20 25 30 TTT AAG TTG TTT TGT GGA CCA CCG AAC ACA ACC GAT GAC TCC TTT CTC 204 Phe Lys Leu Phe Cys Gly Pro Pro Asn Thr Thr Asp Asp Ser Phe Leu 35 40 45 TCA CCT GCT GGA GCC CCA AAC AAT GCC TCG GCT TTG AAG GGG GCT TCT 252 Ser Pro Ala Gly Ala Pro Asn Asn Ala Ser Ala Leu Lys Gly Ala Ser 50 55 60 GAA GCA ATT GTT GAA GCT AAA TTT AAT TCA AGT GGT ATC TAC GTT CCT 300 Glu Ala Ile Val Glu Ala Lys Phe Asn Ser Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val Pro 65 70 75 80 GAG TTA TCC AAA ACA GTC TTC CAC TGT TGC TTT GGG AAT GAG CAA GGT 348 Glu Leu Ser Lys Thr Val Phe His Cys Cys Phe Gly Asn Glu Gln Gly 85 90 95 CAA AAC TGC TCT GCA CTC ACA GAC AAC ACT GAA GGG AAG ACA CTG GCT 396 Gln Asn Cys Ser Ala Leu Thr Asp Asn Thr Glu Gly Lys Thr Leu Ala 100 105 110 TCA GTA GTG AAG GCT TCA GTT TTT CGC CAG CTA GGT GTA AAC TGG GAC 444 Ser Val Val Lys Ala Ser Val Phe Arg Gln Leu Gly Val Asn Trp Asp 115 120 125 ATA GAG TGC TGG ATG AAA GGG GAC TTG ACA TTA TTC ATC TGT CAT ATG 492 Ile Glu Cys Trp Met Lys Gly Asp Leu Thr Leu Phe Ile Cys His Met 130 135 140 GAG CCA TTA CCT AAG AAC CCC TTC AAG AAT TAT GAC TCT AAG GTC CAT 540 Glu Pro Leu Pro Lys Asn Pro Phe Lys Asn Tyr Asp Ser Lys Val His 145 150 155 160 CTT TTA TAT GAT CTG CCT GAA GTC ATA GAT GAT TCG CCT CTG CCC CCA 588 Leu Leu Tyr Asp Leu Pro Glu Val Ile Asp Asp Ser Pro Leu Pro Pro 165 170 175 CTG AAA GAC AGC TTT CAG ACT GTC CAA TGC AAC TGC AGT CTT CGG GGA 636 Leu Lys Asp Ser Phe Gln Thr Val Gln Cys Asn Cys Ser Leu Arg Gly 180 185 190 TGT GAA TGT CAT GTG CCG GTA CCC AGA GCC AAA CTC AAC TAC GCT CTT 684 Cys Glu Cys His Val Pro Val Pro Arg Ala Lys Leu Asn Tyr Ala Leu 195 200 205 CTG ATG TAT TTG GAA ATC ACA TCT GCC GGT GTG AGT TTT CAG TCA CCT 732 Leu Met Tyr Leu Glu Ile Thr Ser Ala Gly Val Ser Phe Gln Ser Pro 210 215 220 CTG ATG TCA CTG CAG CCC ATG CTT GTT GTG AAA CCC GAT CCA CCC TTA 780 Leu Met Ser Leu Gln Pro Met Leu Val Val Lys Pro Asp Pro Pro Leu 225 230 235 240 GGT TTG CAT ATG GAA GTC ACA GAT GAT GGT AAT TTA AAG ATT TCT TGG 828 Gly Leu His Met Glu Val Thr Asp Asp Gly Asn Leu Lys Ile Ser Trp 245 250 255 GAC AGC CAA ACA ATG GCA CCA TTT CCG CTT CAA TAT CAG GTG AAA TAT 876 Asp Ser Gln Thr Met Ala Pro Phe Pro Leu Gln Tyr Gln Val Lys Tyr 260 265 270 TTA GAG AAT TCT ACA ATT GTA AGA GAG GCT GCT GAA ATT GTC TCA GCT 924 Leu Glu Asn Ser Thr Ile Val Arg Glu Ala Ala Glu Ile Val Ser Ala 275 280 285 ACA TCT CTG CTG GTA GAC AGT GTG CTT CCT GGA TCT TCA TAT GAG GTC 972 Thr Ser Leu Leu Val Asp Ser Val Leu Pro Gly Ser Ser Tyr Glu Val 290 295 300 CAG GTG AGG AGC AAG AGA CTG GAT GGT TCA GGA GTC TGG AGT GAC TGG 1020 Gln Val Arg Ser Lys Arg Leu Asp Gly Ser Gly Val Trp Ser Asp Trp 305 310 315 320 AGT TCA CCT CAA GTC TTT ACC ACA CAA GAT GTT GTG TAT TTT CCA CCC 1068 Ser Ser Pro Gln Val Phe Thr Thr Gln Asp Val Val Tyr Phe Pro Pro 325 330 335 AAA ATT CTG ACT AGT GTT GGA TCG AAT GCT TCT TTT CAT TGC ATC TAC 1116 Lys Ile Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Ser Asn Ala Ser Phe His Cys Ile Tyr 340 345 350 AAA AAC GAA AAC CAG ATT ATC TCC TCA AAA CAG ATA GTT TGG TGG AGG 1164 Lys Asn Glu Asn Gln Ile Ile Ser Ser Lys Gln Ile Val Trp Trp Arg 355 360 365 AAT CTA GCT GAG AAA ATC CCT GAG ATA CAG TAC AGC ATT GTG AGT GAC 1212 Asn Leu Ala Glu Lys Ile Pro Glu Ile Gln Tyr Ser Ile Val Ser Asp 370 375 380 CGA GTT AGC AAA GTT ACC TTC TCC AAC CTG AAA GCC ACC AGA CCT CGA 1260 Arg Val Ser Lys Val Thr Phe Ser Asn Leu Lys Ala Thr Arg Pro Arg 385 390 395 400 GGG AAG TTT ACC TAT GAC GCA GTG TAC TGC TGC AAT GAG CAG GCG TGC 1308 Gly Lys Phe Thr Tyr Asp Ala Val Tyr Cys Cys Asn Glu Gln Ala Cys 405 410 415 CAT CAC CGC TAT GCT GAA TTA TAC GTG ATC GAT GTC AAT ATC AAT ATA 1356 His His Arg Tyr Ala Glu Leu Tyr Val Ile Asp Val Asn Ile Asn Ile 420 425 430 TCA TGT GAA ACT GAC GGG TAC TTA ACT AAA ATG ACT TGC AGA TGG TCA 1404 Ser Cys Glu Thr Asp Gly Tyr Leu Thr Lys Met Thr Cys Arg Trp Ser 435 440 445 CCC AGC ACA ATC CAA TCA CTA GTG GGA AGC ACT GTG CAG CTG AGG TAT 1452 Pro Ser Thr Ile Gln Ser Leu Val Gly Ser Thr Val Gln Leu Arg Tyr 450 455 460 CAC AGG CGC AGC CTG TAT TGT CCT GAT AGT CCA TCT ATT CAT CCT ACG 1500 His Arg Arg Ser Leu Tyr Cys Pro Asp Ser Pro Ser Ile His Pro Thr 465 470 475 480 TCT GAG CCC AAA AAC TGC GTC TTA CAG AGA GAC GGC TTT TAT GAA TGT 1548 Ser Glu Pro Lys Asn Cys Val Leu Gln Arg Asp Gly Phe Tyr Glu Cys 485 490 495 GTT TTC CAG CCA ATC TTT CTA TTA TCT GGC TAT ACA ATG TGG ATC AGG 1596 Val Phe Gln Pro Ile Phe Leu Leu Ser Gly Tyr Thr Met Trp Ile Arg 500 505 510 ATC AAC CAT TCT TTA GGT TCA CTT GAC TCG CCA CCA ACG TGT GTC CTT 1644 Ile Asn His Ser Leu Gly Ser Leu Asp Ser Pro Pro Thr Cys Val Leu 515 520 525 CCT GAC TCC GTA GTA AAA CCA CTA CCT CCA TCT AAC GTA AAA GCA GAG 1692 Pro Asp Ser Val Val Lys Pro Leu Pro Pro Ser Asn Val Lys Ala Glu 530 535 540 ATT ACT GTA AAC ACT GGA TTA TTG AAA GTA TCT TGG GAA AAG CCA GTC 1740 Ile Thr Val Asn Thr Gly Leu Leu Lys Val Ser Trp Glu Lys Pro Val 545 550 555 560 TTT CCG GAG AAT AAC CTT CAA TTC CAG ATT CGA TAT GGC TTA AGT GGA 1788 Phe Pro Glu Asn Asn Leu Gln Phe Gln Ile Arg Tyr Gly Leu Ser Gly 565 570 575 AAA GAA ATA CAA TGG AAG ACA CAT GAG GTA TTC GAT GCA AAG TCA AAG 1836 Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Lys Thr His Glu Val Phe Asp Ala Lys Ser Lys 580 585 590 TCT GCC AGC CTG CTG GTG TCA GAC CTC TGT GCA GTC TAT GTG GTC CAG 1884 Ser Ala Ser Leu Leu Val Ser Asp Leu Cys Ala Val Tyr Val Val Gln 595 600 605 GTT CGC TGC CGG CGG TTG GAT GGA CTA GGA TAT TGG AGT AAT TGG AGC 1932 Val Arg Cys Arg Arg Leu Asp Gly Leu Gly Tyr Trp Ser Asn Trp Ser 610 615 620 AGT CCA GCC TAT ACG CTT GTC ATG GAT GTA AAA GTT CCT ATG AGA GGG 1980 Ser Pro Ala Tyr Thr Leu Val Met Asp Val Lys Val Pro Met Arg Gly 625 630 635 640 CCT GAA TTT TGG AGA AAA ATG GAT GGG GAC GTT ACT AAA AAG GAG AGA 2028 Pro Glu Phe Trp Arg Lys Met Asp Gly Asp Val Thr Lys Lys Glu Arg 645 650 655 AAT GTC ACC TTG CTT TGG AAG CCC CTG ACG AAA AAT GAC TCA CTG TGT 2076 Asn Val Thr Leu Leu Trp Lys Pro Leu Thr Lys Asn Asp Ser Leu Cys 660 665 670 AGT GTG AGG AGG TAC GTT GTG AAG CAT CGT ACT GCC CAC AAT GGG ACG 2124 Ser Val Arg Arg Tyr Val Val Lys His Arg Thr Ala His Asn Gly Thr 675 680 685 TGG TCA GAA GAT GTG GGA AAT CGG ACC AAT CTC ACT TTC CTG TGG ACA 2172 Trp Ser Glu Asp Val Gly Asn Arg Thr Asn Leu Thr Phe Leu Trp Thr 690 695 700 GAA CCA GCG CAC ACT GTT ACA GTT CTG GCT GTC AAT TCC CTC GGC GCT 2220 Glu Pro Ala His Thr Val Thr Val Leu Ala Val Asn Ser Leu Gly Ala 705 710 715 720 TCC CTT GTG AAT TTT AAC CTT ACC TTC TCA TGG CCC ATG AGT AAA GTG 2268 Ser Leu Val Asn Phe Asn Leu Thr Phe Ser Trp Pro Met Ser Lys Val 725 730 735 AGT GCT GTG GAG TCA CTC AGT GCT TAT CCC CTG AGC AGC AGC TGT GTC 2316 Ser Ala Val Glu Ser Leu Ser Ala Tyr Pro Leu Ser Ser Ser Cys Val 740 745 750 ATC CTT TCC TGG ACA CTG TCA CCT GAT GAT TAT AGT CTG TTA TAT CTG 2364 Ile Leu Ser Trp Thr Leu Ser Pro Asp Asp Tyr Ser Leu Leu Tyr Leu 755 760 765 GTT ATT GAA TGG AAG ATC CTT AAT GAA GAT GAT GGA ATG AAG TGG CTT 2412 Val Ile Glu Trp Lys Ile Leu Asn Glu Asp Asp Gly Met Lys Trp Leu 770 775 780 AGA ATT CCC TCG AAT GTT AAA AAG TTT TAT ATC CAC GAT AAT TTT ATT 2460 Arg Ile Pro Ser Asn Val Lys Lys Phe Tyr Ile His Asp Asn Phe Ile 785 790 795 800 CCC ATC GAG AAA TAT CAG TTT AGT CTT TAC CCA GTA TTT ATG GAA GGA 2508 Pro Ile Glu Lys Tyr Gln Phe Ser Leu Tyr Pro Val Phe Met Glu Gly 805 810 815 GTT GGA AAA CCA AAG ATA ATT AAT GGT TTC ACC AAA GAT GCT ATC GAC 2556 Val Gly Lys Pro Lys Ile Ile Asn Gly Phe Thr Lys Asp Ala Ile Asp 820 825 830 AAG CAG CAG AAT GAC GCA GGG CTG TAT GTC ATT GTA CCC ATA ATT ATT 2604 Lys Gln Gln Asn Asp Ala Gly Leu Tyr Val Ile Val Pro Ile Ile Ile 835 840 845 TCC TCT TGT GTC CTA CTG CTC GGA ACA CTG TTA ATT TCA CAC CAG AGA 2652 Ser Ser Cys Val Leu Leu Leu Gly Thr Leu Leu Ile Ser His Gln Arg 850 855 860 ATG AAA AAG TTG TTT TGG GAC GAT GTT CCA AAC CCC AAG AAT TGT TCC 2700 Met Lys Lys Leu Phe Trp Asp Asp Val Pro Asn Pro Lys Asn Cys Ser 865 870 875 880 TGG GCA CAA GGA CTG AAT TTC CAA AAG AGA ACG GAC ACT CTT 2742 Trp Ala Gln Gly Leu Asn Phe Gln Lys Arg Thr Asp Thr Leu 885 890 TGAAGTCTCT CATGACCACT ACAGATGAAC CCAATCTACC AACTTCCCAA CAGTCCATAC 2802 AATATTAGAA GATGTTTACA TTTTGATGGA GGGAAACAAA CCTAAACTAT GGTTTGAATG 2862 ACTAAGAAAT AACATTTGAT GAGCTTATTA GAGAAGTGTA TATTTTGTGG CCACAATGTA 2922 GGTTTGATGT AGTTCAGTTT GGGACATATG CTTGATTTTC AGGGCATCAA AAATTTAAAG 2982 TTGATATTCA TGGACTCTGC ATTTTATTTC TTAAGTCATA AAATGATAAT GGTGTGACGG 3042 TTGGTGTCAG AACCTATTTG GGTACAGATC ACCAAAATAT GGTAGGTAAT GCCTT 3097 894 amino acids amino acid unknown protein internal 2 Met Met Cys Gln Lys Phe Tyr Val Val Leu Leu His Trp Glu Phe Leu 1 5 10 15 Tyr Val Ile Ala Ala Leu Asn Leu Ala Tyr Pro Ile Ser Pro Trp Lys 20 25 30 Phe Lys Leu Phe Cys Gly Pro Pro Asn Thr Thr Asp Asp Ser Phe Leu 35 40 45 Ser Pro Ala Gly Ala Pro Asn Asn Ala Ser Ala Leu Lys Gly Ala Ser 50 55 60 Glu Ala Ile Val Glu Ala Lys Phe Asn Ser Ser Gly Ile Tyr Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Glu Leu Ser Lys Thr Val Phe His Cys Cys Phe Gly Asn Glu Gln Gly 85 90 95 Gln Asn Cys Ser Ala Leu Thr Asp Asn Thr Glu Gly Lys Thr Leu Ala 100 105 110 Ser Val Val Lys Ala Ser Val Phe Arg Gln Leu Gly Val Asn Trp Asp 115 120 125 Ile Glu Cys Trp Met Lys Gly Asp Leu Thr Leu Phe Ile Cys His Met 130 135 140 Glu Pro Leu Pro Lys Asn Pro Phe Lys Asn Tyr Asp Ser Lys Val His 145 150 155 160 Leu Leu Tyr Asp Leu Pro Glu Val Ile Asp Asp Ser Pro Leu Pro Pro 165 170 175 Leu Lys Asp Ser Phe Gln Thr Val Gln Cys Asn Cys Ser Leu Arg Gly 180 185 190 Cys Glu Cys His Val Pro Val Pro Arg Ala Lys Leu Asn Tyr Ala Leu 195 200 205 Leu Met Tyr Leu Glu Ile Thr Ser Ala Gly Val Ser Phe Gln Ser Pro 210 215 220 Leu Met Ser Leu Gln Pro Met Leu Val Val Lys Pro Asp Pro Pro Leu 225 230 235 240 Gly Leu His Met Glu Val Thr Asp Asp Gly Asn Leu Lys Ile Ser Trp 245 250 255 Asp Ser Gln Thr Met Ala Pro Phe Pro Leu Gln Tyr Gln Val Lys Tyr 260 265 270 Leu Glu Asn Ser Thr Ile Val Arg Glu Ala Ala Glu Ile Val Ser Ala 275 280 285 Thr Ser Leu Leu Val Asp Ser Val Leu Pro Gly Ser Ser Tyr Glu Val 290 295 300 Gln Val Arg Ser Lys Arg Leu Asp Gly Ser Gly Val Trp Ser Asp Trp 305 310 315 320 Ser Ser Pro Gln Val Phe Thr Thr Gln Asp Val Val Tyr Phe Pro Pro 325 330 335 Lys Ile Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Ser Asn Ala Ser Phe His Cys Ile Tyr 340 345 350 Lys Asn Glu Asn Gln Ile Ile Ser Ser Lys Gln Ile Val Trp Trp Arg 355 360 365 Asn Leu Ala Glu Lys Ile Pro Glu Ile Gln Tyr Ser Ile Val Ser Asp 370 375 380 Arg Val Ser Lys Val Thr Phe Ser Asn Leu Lys Ala Thr Arg Pro Arg 385 390 395 400 Gly Lys Phe Thr Tyr Asp Ala Val Tyr Cys Cys Asn Glu Gln Ala Cys 405 410 415 His His Arg Tyr Ala Glu Leu Tyr Val Ile Asp Val Asn Ile Asn Ile 420 425 430 Ser Cys Glu Thr Asp Gly Tyr Leu Thr Lys Met Thr Cys Arg Trp Ser 435 440 445 Pro Ser Thr Ile Gln Ser Leu Val Gly Ser Thr Val Gln Leu Arg Tyr 450 455 460 His Arg Arg Ser Leu Tyr Cys Pro Asp Ser Pro Ser Ile His Pro Thr 465 470 475 480 Ser Glu Pro Lys Asn Cys Val Leu Gln Arg Asp Gly Phe Tyr Glu Cys 485 490 495 Val Phe Gln Pro Ile Phe Leu Leu Ser Gly Tyr Thr Met Trp Ile Arg 500 505 510 Ile Asn His Ser Leu Gly Ser Leu Asp Ser Pro Pro Thr Cys Val Leu 515 520 525 Pro Asp Ser Val Val Lys Pro Leu Pro Pro Ser Asn Val Lys Ala Glu 530 535 540 Ile Thr Val Asn Thr Gly Leu Leu Lys Val Ser Trp Glu Lys Pro Val 545 550 555 560 Phe Pro Glu Asn Asn Leu Gln Phe Gln Ile Arg Tyr Gly Leu Ser Gly 565 570 575 Lys Glu Ile Gln Trp Lys Thr His Glu Val Phe Asp Ala Lys Ser Lys 580 585 590 Ser Ala Ser Leu Leu Val Ser Asp Leu Cys Ala Val Tyr Val Val Gln 595 600 605 Val Arg Cys Arg Arg Leu Asp Gly Leu Gly Tyr Trp Ser Asn Trp Ser 610 615 620 Ser Pro Ala Tyr Thr Leu Val Met Asp Val Lys Val Pro Met Arg Gly 625 630 635 640 Pro Glu Phe Trp Arg Lys Met Asp Gly Asp Val Thr Lys Lys Glu Arg 645 650 655 Asn Val Thr Leu Leu Trp Lys Pro Leu Thr Lys Asn Asp Ser Leu Cys 660 665 670 Ser Val Arg Arg Tyr Val Val Lys His Arg Thr Ala His Asn Gly Thr 675 680 685 Trp Ser Glu Asp Val Gly Asn Arg Thr Asn Leu Thr Phe Leu Trp Thr 690 695 700 Glu Pro Ala His Thr Val Thr Val Leu Ala Val Asn Ser Leu Gly Ala 705 710 715 720 Ser Leu Val Asn Phe Asn Leu Thr Phe Ser Trp Pro Met Ser Lys Val 725 730 735 Ser Ala Val Glu Ser Leu Ser Ala Tyr Pro Leu Ser Ser Ser Cys Val 740 745 750 Ile Leu Ser Trp Thr Leu Ser Pro Asp Asp Tyr Ser Leu Leu Tyr Leu 755 760 765 Val Ile Glu Trp Lys Ile Leu Asn Glu Asp Asp Gly Met Lys Trp Leu 770 775 780 Arg Ile Pro Ser Asn Val Lys Lys Phe Tyr Ile His Asp Asn Phe Ile 785 790 795 800 Pro Ile Glu Lys Tyr Gln Phe Ser Leu Tyr Pro Val Phe Met Glu Gly 805 810 815 Val Gly Lys Pro Lys Ile Ile Asn Gly Phe Thr Lys Asp Ala Ile Asp 820 825 830 Lys Gln Gln Asn Asp Ala Gly Leu Tyr Val Ile Val Pro Ile Ile Ile 835 840 845 Ser Ser Cys Val Leu Leu Leu Gly Thr Leu Leu Ile Ser His Gln Arg 850 855 860 Met Lys Lys Leu Phe Trp Asp Asp Val Pro Asn Pro Lys Asn Cys Ser 865 870 875 880 Trp Ala Gln Gly Leu Asn Phe Gln Lys Arg Thr Asp Thr Leu 885 890 3871 base pairs nucleic acid double unknown cDNA Coding Sequence 194...3688 3 GGCACGAGCC GGTCTGGCTT GGGCAGGCTG CCCGGGCCGT GGCAGGAAGC CGGAAGCAGC 60 CGCGGCCCCA GTTCGGGAGA CATGGCGGGC GTTAAAGCTC TCGTGGCATT ATCCTTCAGT 120 GGGGCTATTG GACTGACTTT TCTTATGCTG GGATGTGCCT TAGAGGATTA TGGGTGTACT 180 TCTCTGAAGT AAG ATG ATT TGT CAA AAA TTC TGT GTG GTT TTG TTA CAT 229 Met Ile Cys Gln Lys Phe Cys Val Val Leu Leu His 1 5 10 TGG GAA TTT ATT TAT GTG ATA ACT GCG TTT AAC TTG TCA TAT CCA ATT 277 Trp Glu Phe Ile Tyr Val Ile Thr Ala Phe Asn Leu Ser Tyr Pro Ile 15 20 25 ACT CCT TGG AGA TTT AAG TTG TCT TGC ATG CCA CCA AAT TCA ACC TAT 325 Thr Pro Trp Arg Phe Lys Leu Ser Cys Met Pro Pro Asn Ser Thr Tyr 30 35 40 GAC TAC TTC CTT TTG CCT GCT GGA CTC TCA AAG AAT ACT TCA AAT TCG 373 Asp Tyr Phe Leu Leu Pro Ala Gly Leu Ser Lys Asn Thr Ser Asn Ser 45 50 55 60 AAT GGA CAT TAT GAG ACA GCT GTT GAA CCT AAG TTT AAT TCA AGT GGT 421 Asn Gly His Tyr Glu Thr Ala Val Glu Pro Lys Phe Asn Ser Ser Gly 65 70 75 ACT CAC TTT TCT AAC TTA TCC AAA ACA ACT TTC CAC TGT TGC TTT CGG 469 Thr His Phe Ser Asn Leu Ser Lys Thr Thr Phe His Cys Cys Phe Arg 80 85 90 AGT GAG CAA GAT AGA AAC TGC TCC TTA TGT GCA GAC AAC ATT GAA GGA 517 Ser Glu Gln Asp Arg Asn Cys Ser Leu Cys Ala Asp Asn Ile Glu Gly 95 100 105 AAG ACA TTT GTT TCA ACA GTA AAT TCT TTA GTT TTT CAA CAA ATA GAT 565 Lys Thr Phe Val Ser Thr Val Asn Ser Leu Val Phe Gln Gln Ile Asp 110 115 120 GCA AAC TGG AAC ATA CAG TGC TGG CTA AAA GGA GAC TTA AAA TTA TTC 613 Ala Asn Trp Asn Ile Gln Cys Trp Leu Lys Gly Asp Leu Lys Leu Phe 125 130 135 140 ATC TGT TAT GTG GAG TCA TTA TTT AAG AAT CTA TTC AGG AAT TAT AAC 661 Ile Cys Tyr Val Glu Ser Leu Phe Lys Asn Leu Phe Arg Asn Tyr Asn 145 150 155 TAT AAG GTC CAT CTT TTA TAT GTT CTG CCT GAA GTG TTA GAA GAT TCA 709 Tyr Lys Val His Leu Leu Tyr Val Leu Pro Glu Val Leu Glu Asp Ser 160 165 170 CCT CTG GTT CCC CAA AAA GGC AGT TTT CAG ATG GTT CAC TGC AAT TGC 757 Pro Leu Val Pro Gln Lys Gly Ser Phe Gln Met Val His Cys Asn Cys 175 180 185 AGT GTT CAT GAA TGT TGT GAA TGT CTT GTG CCT GTG CCA ACA GCC AAA 805 Ser Val His Glu Cys Cys Glu Cys Leu Val Pro Val Pro Thr Ala Lys 190 195 200 CTC AAC GAC ACT CTC CTT ATG TGT TTG AAA ATC ACA TCT GGT GGA GTA 853 Leu Asn Asp Thr Leu Leu Met Cys Leu Lys Ile Thr Ser Gly Gly Val 205 210 215 220 ATT TTC CAG TCA CCT CTA ATG TCA GTT CAG CCC ATA AAT ATG GTG AAG 901 Ile Phe Gln Ser Pro Leu Met Ser Val Gln Pro Ile Asn Met Val Lys 225 230 235 CCT GAT CCA CCA TTA GGT TTG CAT ATG GAA ATC ACA GAT GAT GGT AAT 949 Pro Asp Pro Pro Leu Gly Leu His Met Glu Ile Thr Asp Asp Gly Asn 240 245 250 TTA AAG ATT TCT TGG TCC AGC CCA CCA TTG GTA CCA TTT CCA CTT CAA 997 Leu Lys Ile Ser Trp Ser Ser Pro Pro Leu Val Pro Phe Pro Leu Gln 255 260 265 TAT CAA GTG AAA TAT TCA GAG AAT TCT ACA ACA GTT ATC AGA GAA GCT 1045 Tyr Gln Val Lys Tyr Ser Glu Asn Ser Thr Thr Val Ile Arg Glu Ala 270 275 280 GAC AAG ATT GTC TCA GCT ACA TCC CTG CTA GTA GAC AGT ATA CTT CCT 1093 Asp Lys Ile Val Ser Ala Thr Ser Leu Leu Val Asp Ser Ile Leu Pro 285 290 295 300 GGG TCT TCG TAT GAG GTT CAG GTG AGG GGC AAG AGA CTG GAT GGC CCA 1141 Gly Ser Ser Tyr Glu Val Gln Val Arg Gly Lys Arg Leu Asp Gly Pro 305 310 315 GGA ATC TGG AGT GAC TGG AGT ACT CCT CGT GTC TTT ACC ACA CAA GAT 1189 Gly Ile Trp Ser Asp Trp Ser Thr Pro Arg Val Phe Thr Thr Gln Asp 320 325 330 GTC ATA TAC TTT CCA CCT AAA ATT CTG ACA AGT GTT GGG TCT AAT GTT 1237 Val Ile Tyr Phe Pro Pro Lys Ile Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Ser Asn Val 335 340 345 TCT TTT CAC TGC ATC TAT AAG AAG GAA AAC AAG ATT GTT CCC TCA AAA 1285 Ser Phe His Cys Ile Tyr Lys Lys Glu Asn Lys Ile Val Pro Ser Lys 350 355 360 GAG ATT GTT TGG TGG ATG AAT TTA GCT GAG AAA ATT CCT CAA AGC CAG 1333 Glu Ile Val Trp Trp Met Asn Leu Ala Glu Lys Ile Pro Gln Ser Gln 365 370 375 380 TAT GAT GTT GTG AGT GAT CAT GTT AGC AAA GTT ACT TTT TTC AAT CTG 1381 Tyr Asp Val Val Ser Asp His Val Ser Lys Val Thr Phe Phe Asn Leu 385 390 395 AAT GAA ACC AAA CCT CGA GGA AAG TTT ACC TAT GAT GCA GTG TAC TGC 1429 Asn Glu Thr Lys Pro Arg Gly Lys Phe Thr Tyr Asp Ala Val Tyr Cys 400 405 410 TGC AAT GAA CAT GAA TGC CAT CAT CGC TAT GCT GAA TTA TAT GTG ATT 1477 Cys Asn Glu His Glu Cys His His Arg Tyr Ala Glu Leu Tyr Val Ile 415 420 425 GAT GTC AAT ATC AAT ATC TCA TGT GAA ACT GAT GGG TAC TTA ACT AAA 1525 Asp Val Asn Ile Asn Ile Ser Cys Glu Thr Asp Gly Tyr Leu Thr Lys 430 435 440 ATG ACT TGC AGA TGG TCA ACC AGT ACA ATC CAG TCA CTT GCG GAA AGC 1573 Met Thr Cys Arg Trp Ser Thr Ser Thr Ile Gln Ser Leu Ala Glu Ser 445 450 455 460 ACT TTG CAA TTG AGG TAT CAT AGG AGC AGC CTT TAC TGT TCT GAT ATT 1621 Thr Leu Gln Leu Arg Tyr His Arg Ser Ser Leu Tyr Cys Ser Asp Ile 465 470 475 CCA TCT ATT CAT CCC ATA TCT GAG CCC AAA GAT TGC TAT TTG CAG AGT 1669 Pro Ser Ile His Pro Ile Ser Glu Pro Lys Asp Cys Tyr Leu Gln Ser 480 485 490 GAT GGT TTT TAT GAA TGC ATT TTC CAG CCA ATC TTC CTA TTA TCT GGC 1717 Asp Gly Phe Tyr Glu Cys Ile Phe Gln Pro Ile Phe Leu Leu Ser Gly 495 500 505 TAC ACA ATG TGG ATT AGG ATC AAT CAC TCT CTA GGT TCA CTT GAC TCT 1765 Tyr Thr Met Trp Ile Arg Ile Asn His Ser Leu Gly Ser Leu Asp Ser 510 515 520 CCA CCA ACA TGT GTC CTT CCT GAT TCT GTG GTG AAG CCA CTG CCT CCA 1813 Pro Pro Thr Cys Val Leu Pro Asp Ser Val Val Lys Pro Leu Pro Pro 525 530 535 540 TCC AGT GTG AAA GCA GAA ATT ACT ATA AAC ATT GGA TTA TTG AAA ATA 1861 Ser Ser Val Lys Ala Glu Ile Thr Ile Asn Ile Gly Leu Leu Lys Ile 545 550 555 TCT TGG GAA AAG CCA GTC TTT CCA GAG AAT AAC CTT CAA TTC CAG ATT 1909 Ser Trp Glu Lys Pro Val Phe Pro Glu Asn Asn Leu Gln Phe Gln Ile 560 565 570 CGC TAT GGT TTA AGT GGA AAA GAA GTA CAA TGG AAG ATG TAT GAG GTT 1957 Arg Tyr Gly Leu Ser Gly Lys Glu Val Gln Trp Lys Met Tyr Glu Val 575 580 585 TAT GAT GCA AAA TCA AAA TCT GTC AGT CTC CCA GTT CCA GAC TTG TGT 2005 Tyr Asp Ala Lys Ser Lys Ser Val Ser Leu Pro Val Pro Asp Leu Cys 590 595 600 GCA GTC TAT GCT GTT CAG GTG CGC TGT AAG AGG CTA GAT GGA CTG GGA 2053 Ala Val Tyr Ala Val Gln Val Arg Cys Lys Arg Leu Asp Gly Leu Gly 605 610 615 620 TAT TGG AGT AAT TGG AGC AAT CCA GCC TAC ACA GTT GTC ATG GAT ATA 2101 Tyr Trp Ser Asn Trp Ser Asn Pro Ala Tyr Thr Val Val Met Asp Ile 625 630 635 AAA GTT CCT ATG AGA GGA CCT GAA TTT TGG AGA ATA ATT AAT GGA GAT 2149 Lys Val Pro Met Arg Gly Pro Glu Phe Trp Arg Ile Ile Asn Gly Asp 640 645 650 ACT ATG AAA AAG GAG AAA AAT GTC ACT TTA CTT TGG AAG CCC CTG ATG 2197 Thr Met Lys Lys Glu Lys Asn Val Thr Leu Leu Trp Lys Pro Leu Met 655 660 665 AAA AAT GAC TCA TTG TGC AGT GTT CAG AGA TAT GTG ATA AAC CAT CAT 2245 Lys Asn Asp Ser Leu Cys Ser Val Gln Arg Tyr Val Ile Asn His His 670 675 680 ACT TCC TGC AAT GGA ACA TGG TCA GAA GAT GTG GGA AAT CAC ACG AAA 2293 Thr Ser Cys Asn Gly Thr Trp Ser Glu Asp Val Gly Asn His Thr Lys 685 690 695 700 TTC ACT TTC CTG TGG ACA GAG CAA GCA CAT ACT GTT ACG GTT CTG GCC 2341 Phe Thr Phe Leu Trp Thr Glu Gln Ala His Thr Val Thr Val Leu Ala 705 710 715 ATC AAT TCA ATT GGT GCT TCT GTT GCA AAT TTT AAT TTA ACC TTT TCA 2389 Ile Asn Ser Ile Gly Ala Ser Val Ala Asn Phe Asn Leu Thr Phe Ser 720 725 730 TGG CCT ATG AGC AAA GTA AAT ATC GTG CAG TCA CTC AGT GCT TAT CCT 2437 Trp Pro Met Ser Lys Val Asn Ile Val Gln Ser Leu Ser Ala Tyr Pro 735 740 745 TTA AAC AGC AGT TGT GTG ATT GTT TCC TGG ATA CTA TCA CCC AGT GAT 2485 Leu Asn Ser Ser Cys Val Ile Val Ser Trp Ile Leu Ser Pro Ser Asp 750 755 760 TAC AAG CTA ATG TAT TTT ATT ATT GAG TGG AAA AAT CTT AAT GAA GAT 2533 Tyr Lys Leu Met Tyr Phe Ile Ile Glu Trp Lys Asn Leu Asn Glu Asp 765 770 775 780 GGT GAA ATA AAA TGG CTT AGA ATC TCT TCA TCT GTT AAG AAG TAT TAT 2581 Gly Glu Ile Lys Trp Leu Arg Ile Ser Ser Ser Val Lys Lys Tyr Tyr 785 790 795 ATC CAT GAT CAT TTT ATC CCC ATT GAG AAG TAC CAG TTC AGT CTT TAC 2629 Ile His Asp His Phe Ile Pro Ile Glu Lys Tyr Gln Phe Ser Leu Tyr 800 805 810 CCA ATA TTT ATG GAA GGA GTG GGA AAA CCA AAG ATA ATT AAT AGT TTC 2677 Pro Ile Phe Met Glu Gly Val Gly Lys Pro Lys Ile Ile Asn Ser Phe 815 820 825 ACT CAA GAT GAT ATT GAA AAA CAC CAG AGT GAT GCA GGT TTA TAT GTA 2725 Thr Gln Asp Asp Ile Glu Lys His Gln Ser Asp Ala Gly Leu Tyr Val 830 835 840 ATT GTG CCA GTA ATT ATT TCC TCT TCC ATC TTA TTG CTT GGA ACA TTA 2773 Ile Val Pro Val Ile Ile Ser Ser Ser Ile Leu Leu Leu Gly Thr Leu 845 850 855 860 TTA ATA TCA CAC CAA AGA ATG AAA AAG CTA TTT TGG GAA GAT GTT CCG 2821 Leu Ile Ser His Gln Arg Met Lys Lys Leu Phe Trp Glu Asp Val Pro 865 870 875 AAC CCC AAG AAT TGT TCC TGG GCA CAA GGA CTT AAT TTT CAG AAG CCA 2869 Asn Pro Lys Asn Cys Ser Trp Ala Gln Gly Leu Asn Phe Gln Lys Pro 880 885 890 GAA ACG TTT GAG CAT CTT TTT ATC AAG CAT ACA GCA TCA GTG ACA TGT 2917 Glu Thr Phe Glu His Leu Phe Ile Lys His Thr Ala Ser Val Thr Cys 895 900 905 GGT CCT CTT CTT TTG GAG CCT GAA ACA ATT TCA GAA GAT ATC AGT GTT 2965 Gly Pro Leu Leu Leu Glu Pro Glu Thr Ile Ser Glu Asp Ile Ser Val 910 915 920 GAT ACA TCA TGG AAA AAT AAA GAT GAG ATG ATG CCA ACA ACT GTG GTC 3013 Asp Thr Ser Trp Lys Asn Lys Asp Glu Met Met Pro Thr Thr Val Val 925 930 935 940 TCT CTA CTT TCA ACA ACA GAT CTT GAA AAG GGT TCT GTT TGT ATT AGT 3061 Ser Leu Leu Ser Thr Thr Asp Leu Glu Lys Gly Ser Val Cys Ile Ser 945 950 955 GAC CAG TTC AAC AGT GTT AAC TTC TCT GAG GCT GAG GGT ACT GAG GTA 3109 Asp Gln Phe Asn Ser Val Asn Phe Ser Glu Ala Glu Gly Thr Glu Val 960 965 970 ACC TAT GAG GAC GAA AGC CAG AGA CAA CCC TTT GTT AAA TAC GCC ACG 3157 Thr Tyr Glu Asp Glu Ser Gln Arg Gln Pro Phe Val Lys Tyr Ala Thr 975 980 985 CTG ATC AGC AAC TCT AAA CCA AGT GAA ACT GGT GAA GAA CAA GGG CTT 3205 Leu Ile Ser Asn Ser Lys Pro Ser Glu Thr Gly Glu Glu Gln Gly Leu 990 995 1000 ATA AAT AGT TCA GTC ACC AAG TGC TTC TCT AGC AAA AAT TCT CCG TTG 3253 Ile Asn Ser Ser Val Thr Lys Cys Phe Ser Ser Lys Asn Ser Pro Leu 1005 1010 1015 1020 AAG GAT TCT TTC TCT AAT AGC TCA TGG GAG ATA GAG GCC CAG GCA TTT 3301 Lys Asp Ser Phe Ser Asn Ser Ser Trp Glu Ile Glu Ala Gln Ala Phe 1025 1030 1035 TTT ATA TTA TCA GAT CAG CAT CCC AAC ATA ATT TCA CCA CAC CTC ACA 3349 Phe Ile Leu Ser Asp Gln His Pro Asn Ile Ile Ser Pro His Leu Thr 1040 1045 1050 TTC TCA GAA GGA TTG GAT GAA CTT TTG AAA TTG GAG GGA AAT TTC CCT 3397 Phe Ser Glu Gly Leu Asp Glu Leu Leu Lys Leu Glu Gly Asn Phe Pro 1055 1060 1065 GAA GAA AAT AAT GAT AAA AAG TCT ATC TAT TAT TTA GGG GTC ACC TCA 3445 Glu Glu Asn Asn Asp Lys Lys Ser Ile Tyr Tyr Leu Gly Val Thr Ser 1070 1075 1080 ATC AAA AAG AGA GAG AGT GGT GTG CTT TTG ACT GAC AAG TCA AGG GTA 3493 Ile Lys Lys Arg Glu Ser Gly Val Leu Leu Thr Asp Lys Ser Arg Val 1085 1090 1095 1100 TCG TGC CCA TTC CCA GCC CCC TGT TTA TTC ACG GAC ATC AGA GTT CTC 3541 Ser Cys Pro Phe Pro Ala Pro Cys Leu Phe Thr Asp Ile Arg Val Leu 1105 1110 1115 CAG GAC AGT TGC TCA CAC TTT GTA GAA AAT AAT ATC AAC TTA GGA ACT 3589 Gln Asp Ser Cys Ser His Phe Val Glu Asn Asn Ile Asn Leu Gly Thr 1120 1125 1130 TCT AGT AAG AAG ACT TTT GCA TCT TAC ATG CCT CAA TTC CAA ACT TGT 3637 Ser Ser Lys Lys Thr Phe Ala Ser Tyr Met Pro Gln Phe Gln Thr Cys 1135 1140 1145 TCT ACT CAG ACT CAT AAG ATC ATG GAA AAC AAG ATG TGT GAC CTA ACT 3685 Ser Thr Gln Thr His Lys Ile Met Glu Asn Lys Met Cys Asp Leu Thr 1150 1155 1160 GTG TAATTTCACT GAAGAAACCT TCAGATTTGT GTTATAATGG GTAATATAAA 3738 Val 1165 GTGTAATAGA TTATAGTTGT GGGTGGGAGA GAGAAAAGAA ACCAGAGTCC AAATTTGAAA 3798 ATAATTGTTC CCAACTGAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA 3858 AAAAAAAAAA AAA 3871 1165 amino acids amino acid unknown protein internal 4 Met Ile Cys Gln Lys Phe Cys Val Val Leu Leu His Trp Glu Phe Ile 1 5 10 15 Tyr Val Ile Thr Ala Phe Asn Leu Ser Tyr Pro Ile Thr Pro Trp Arg 20 25 30 Phe Lys Leu Ser Cys Met Pro Pro Asn Ser Thr Tyr Asp Tyr Phe Leu 35 40 45 Leu Pro Ala Gly Leu Ser Lys Asn Thr Ser Asn Ser Asn Gly His Tyr 50 55 60 Glu Thr Ala Val Glu Pro Lys Phe Asn Ser Ser Gly Thr His Phe Ser 65 70 75 80 Asn Leu Ser Lys Thr Thr Phe His Cys Cys Phe Arg Ser Glu Gln Asp 85 90 95 Arg Asn Cys Ser Leu Cys Ala Asp Asn Ile Glu Gly Lys Thr Phe Val 100 105 110 Ser Thr Val Asn Ser Leu Val Phe Gln Gln Ile Asp Ala Asn Trp Asn 115 120 125 Ile Gln Cys Trp Leu Lys Gly Asp Leu Lys Leu Phe Ile Cys Tyr Val 130 135 140 Glu Ser Leu Phe Lys Asn Leu Phe Arg Asn Tyr Asn Tyr Lys Val His 145 150 155 160 Leu Leu Tyr Val Leu Pro Glu Val Leu Glu Asp Ser Pro Leu Val Pro 165 170 175 Gln Lys Gly Ser Phe Gln Met Val His Cys Asn Cys Ser Val His Glu 180 185 190 Cys Cys Glu Cys Leu Val Pro Val Pro Thr Ala Lys Leu Asn Asp Thr 195 200 205 Leu Leu Met Cys Leu Lys Ile Thr Ser Gly Gly Val Ile Phe Gln Ser 210 215 220 Pro Leu Met Ser Val Gln Pro Ile Asn Met Val Lys Pro Asp Pro Pro 225 230 235 240 Leu Gly Leu His Met Glu Ile Thr Asp Asp Gly Asn Leu Lys Ile Ser 245 250 255 Trp Ser Ser Pro Pro Leu Val Pro Phe Pro Leu Gln Tyr Gln Val Lys 260 265 270 Tyr Ser Glu Asn Ser Thr Thr Val Ile Arg Glu Ala Asp Lys Ile Val 275 280 285 Ser Ala Thr Ser Leu Leu Val Asp Ser Ile Leu Pro Gly Ser Ser Tyr 290 295 300 Glu Val Gln Val Arg Gly Lys Arg Leu Asp Gly Pro Gly Ile Trp Ser 305 310 315 320 Asp Trp Ser Thr Pro Arg Val Phe Thr Thr Gln Asp Val Ile Tyr Phe 325 330 335 Pro Pro Lys Ile Leu Thr Ser Val Gly Ser Asn Val Ser Phe His Cys 340 345 350 Ile Tyr Lys Lys Glu Asn Lys Ile Val Pro Ser Lys Glu Ile Val Trp 355 360 365 Trp Met Asn Leu Ala Glu Lys Ile Pro Gln Ser Gln Tyr Asp Val Val 370 375 380 Ser Asp His Val Ser Lys Val Thr Phe Phe Asn Leu Asn Glu Thr Lys 385 390 395 400 Pro Arg Gly Lys Phe Thr Tyr Asp Ala Val Tyr Cys Cys Asn Glu His 405 410 415 Glu Cys His His Arg Tyr Ala Glu Leu Tyr Val Ile Asp Val Asn Ile 420 425 430 Asn Ile Ser Cys Glu Thr Asp Gly Tyr Leu Thr Lys Met Thr Cys Arg 435 440 445 Trp Ser Thr Ser Thr Ile Gln Ser Leu Ala Glu Ser Thr Leu Gln Leu 450 455 460 Arg Tyr His Arg Ser Ser Leu Tyr Cys Ser Asp Ile Pro Ser Ile His 465 470 475 480 Pro Ile Ser Glu Pro Lys Asp Cys Tyr Leu Gln Ser Asp Gly Phe Tyr 485 490 495 Glu Cys Ile Phe Gln Pro Ile Phe Leu Leu Ser Gly Tyr Thr Met Trp 500 505 510 Ile Arg Ile Asn His Ser Leu Gly Ser Leu Asp Ser Pro Pro Thr Cys 515 520 525 Val Leu Pro Asp Ser Val Val Lys Pro Leu Pro Pro Ser Ser Val Lys 530 535 540 Ala Glu Ile Thr Ile Asn Ile Gly Leu Leu Lys Ile Ser Trp Glu Lys 545 550 555 560 Pro Val Phe Pro Glu Asn Asn Leu Gln Phe Gln Ile Arg Tyr Gly Leu 565 570 575 Ser Gly Lys Glu Val Gln Trp Lys Met Tyr Glu Val Tyr Asp Ala Lys 580 585 590 Ser Lys Ser Val Ser Leu Pro Val Pro Asp Leu Cys Ala Val Tyr Ala 595 600 605 Val Gln Val Arg Cys Lys Arg Leu Asp Gly Leu Gly Tyr Trp Ser Asn 610 615 620 Trp Ser Asn Pro Ala Tyr Thr Val Val Met Asp Ile Lys Val Pro Met 625 630 635 640 Arg Gly Pro Glu Phe Trp Arg Ile Ile Asn Gly Asp Thr Met Lys Lys 645 650 655 Glu Lys Asn Val Thr Leu Leu Trp Lys Pro Leu Met Lys Asn Asp Ser 660 665 670 Leu Cys Ser Val Gln Arg Tyr Val Ile Asn His His Thr Ser Cys Asn 675 680 685 Gly Thr Trp Ser Glu Asp Val Gly Asn His Thr Lys Phe Thr Phe Leu 690 695 700 Trp Thr Glu Gln Ala His Thr Val Thr Val Leu Ala Ile Asn Ser Ile 705 710 715 720 Gly Ala Ser Val Ala Asn Phe Asn Leu Thr Phe Ser Trp Pro Met Ser 725 730 735 Lys Val Asn Ile Val Gln Ser Leu Ser Ala Tyr Pro Leu Asn Ser Ser 740 745 750 Cys Val Ile Val Ser Trp Ile Leu Ser Pro Ser Asp Tyr Lys Leu Met 755 760 765 Tyr Phe Ile Ile Glu Trp Lys Asn Leu Asn Glu Asp Gly Glu Ile Lys 770 775 780 Trp Leu Arg Ile Ser Ser Ser Val Lys Lys Tyr Tyr Ile His Asp His 785 790 795 800 Phe Ile Pro Ile Glu Lys Tyr Gln Phe Ser Leu Tyr Pro Ile Phe Met 805 810 815 Glu Gly Val Gly Lys Pro Lys Ile Ile Asn Ser Phe Thr Gln Asp Asp 820 825 830 Ile Glu Lys His Gln Ser Asp Ala Gly Leu Tyr Val Ile Val Pro Val 835 840 845 Ile Ile Ser Ser Ser Ile Leu Leu Leu Gly Thr Leu Leu Ile Ser His 850 855 860 Gln Arg Met Lys Lys Leu Phe Trp Glu Asp Val Pro Asn Pro Lys Asn 865 870 875 880 Cys Ser Trp Ala Gln Gly Leu Asn Phe Gln Lys Pro Glu Thr Phe Glu 885 890 895 His Leu Phe Ile Lys His Thr Ala Ser Val Thr Cys Gly Pro Leu Leu 900 905 910 Leu Glu Pro Glu Thr Ile Ser Glu Asp Ile Ser Val Asp Thr Ser Trp 915 920 925 Lys Asn Lys Asp Glu Met Met Pro Thr Thr Val Val Ser Leu Leu Ser 930 935 940 Thr Thr Asp Leu Glu Lys Gly Ser Val Cys Ile Ser Asp Gln Phe Asn 945 950 955 960 Ser Val Asn Phe Ser Glu Ala Glu Gly Thr Glu Val Thr Tyr Glu Asp 965 970 975 Glu Ser Gln Arg Gln Pro Phe Val Lys Tyr Ala Thr Leu Ile Ser Asn 980 985 990 Ser Lys Pro Ser Glu Thr Gly Glu Glu Gln Gly Leu Ile Asn Ser Ser 995 1000 1005 Val Thr Lys Cys Phe Ser Ser Lys Asn Ser Pro Leu Lys Asp Ser Phe 1010 1015 1020 Ser Asn Ser Ser Trp Glu Ile Glu Ala Gln Ala Phe Phe Ile Leu Ser 025 1030 1035 1040 Asp Gln His Pro Asn Ile Ile Ser Pro His Leu Thr Phe Ser Glu Gly 1045 1050 1055 Leu Asp Glu Leu Leu Lys Leu Glu Gly Asn Phe Pro Glu Glu Asn Asn 1060 1065 1070 Asp Lys Lys Ser Ile Tyr Tyr Leu Gly Val Thr Ser Ile Lys Lys Arg 1075 1080 1085 Glu Ser Gly Val Leu Leu Thr Asp Lys Ser Arg Val Ser Cys Pro Phe 1090 1095 1100 Pro Ala Pro Cys Leu Phe Thr Asp Ile Arg Val Leu Gln Asp Ser Cys 105 1110 1115 1120 Ser His Phe Val Glu Asn Asn Ile Asn Leu Gly Thr Ser Ser Lys Lys 1125 1130 1135 Thr Phe Ala Ser Tyr Met Pro Gln Phe Gln Thr Cys Ser Thr Gln Thr 1140 1145 1150 His Lys Ile Met Glu Asn Lys Met Cys Asp Leu Thr Val 1155 1160 1165 17 base pairs nucleic acid single linear 5 GCTGCACTTA ACCTGGC 17 16 base pairs nucleic acid single linear DNA 6 GGATAACTCA GGAACG 16 

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the cytoplasmic domain of human Ob receptor protein, wherein the cytoplasmic domain of human Ob receptor comprises amino acids 863 to 1165 of SEQ ID NO:4.
 2. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 3. The vector of claim 2, wherein the vector is an expression vector.
 4. A host cell transformed to contain the expression vector of claim
 3. 5. The host cell of claim 4, wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell.
 6. A host cell transformed to contain the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 1. 7. The host cell of claim 6, wherein the host cell is a eukaryotic cell. 